Seibu Lions Ryota Itokawa pitcher (27) signed a contract renewal at the team's office in Tokorozawa, Saitama, on May 5 for a salary of 11.5 million yen, an increase of 2.5 million yen (estimated amount). He said, "As long as I'm on , my goal is to pitch at the back of the lineup as well as at the top of the lineup. I'm very eager to get into those places," he said, adding that he would like to be in the race for guardian god. reliever

In his second year as a pro, he pitched in 13 games this season, with a record of 0 wins and 1 loss, and an ERA of 2.89. It was a year in which he steadily increased his number of appearances, and the team said to him, "This year we had you work as a handyman, but next year we expect you to be part of our winning pattern."

However, his desire to achieve his first professional win, which has eluded him in his second season this year, remains unchanged. He has yet to achieve hold or save, and said, "I think it will come with it. I believe that reliever comes when the team works well together, so I just have to keep holding the opponents closer. Of course, I definitely want to break various records next season."