On the 4th, Rakuten Eagles announced that player Haruka Yamada and pitcher Tomotaka Matsui will retire from active play at the end of the 2025 season and will become coaches for Rakuten Eagles Academy from the 2026 season.

▼ Haruka Yamada

"Thank you so much for all the warm support during my two years with Rakuten Eagles. I have nothing but gratitude for the people of Tohoku and all The Eagles fans. I am truly happy to have been given the opportunity to return this gratitude. I was able to play in the professional baseball world for 11 years, so I would like to pass on what I learned here to the children. I will do my best with passion, passion, passion, and energy! I look forward to working with you in the future."

▼ Tomotaka Matsui

"I have decided to put an end to my playing career and take up the role of academy coach. During my four years as a player, I had many difficult times and things did not go as I had hoped, but I will never forget the scene of my hero interview after my first win. From now on, I will do my best to convey the joy of baseball to the next generation of players."