Orix Buffaloes On May 5, Jo Endo infielder held contract negotiations at the baseball team's facility in Maishima, Osaka, and signed for 5 million yen, which is the status quo (amount estimated). He revealed that the baseball team told him that infielder they are short, so they want him to enter the competition and play an active role in the first team.
He was released by Hanshin Tigers last offseason and joined Orix Buffaloes this season on a development contract. He played in 76 games in infield as a versatile infielder, batting .282 with one Home Run and 18 RBI. He also made his presence felt by playing in outfield, which is not his primary position, but he was not promoted to the regular team this season. "If I were in the farm team, I would have to hit over .300. I want to improve defense ability so that I can solidify the defense on the first team, and I also want to think about my batting ability and team batting so that I can play as a regular."
In January, he plans to train with Yoshida (Red Sox) in Okinawa. "He's a top player with an incredible ability to connect training to batting and use his body well. I'd like to learn from him." He is the same age as Miyagi and Kurebayashi, who have become key players on the team. Looking ahead to his seventh year as a professional next season, he declared, "My goal is to impress everyone by becoming a regular player right from spring training and perform well in first-division games."
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・ [Orix Buffaloes] Sho Iwasaki signs for 65 million yen, an increase of 37 million yen. He joined mid-season but recorded 16 hold saying, "It was a very fulfilling time."
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Ryoma Nishikawa 's annual salary increases by 100 million yen to 400 million yen. Although he did not meet the required salary, he surpasses Pacific League leader Taisei Makihara with a batting average of .310, saying, "I feel good."
・ [Yakult] Eigoro Mogi renews his contract for 70 million yen, maintaining his current status. In the second year of his two-year contract, he aims to become a regular at third base next season amid intensifying competition.
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Hirooka Taishi signs for 44 million yen, double the amount, "I felt the joy of being able to play in the game" - first time he's reached the required number of at-bats in his 10th year as a pro
・ [Seibu Lions] Sosuke Genda renews his contract with his current annual salary of 300 million yen, "I will short stop shortstop no matter what."
