Seibu Lions Kaito Noda catcher (20) signed a contract renewal at the team's office in Tokorozawa, Saitama, Japan, on April 10 for 6 million yen, a decrease of 500,000 yen. (Amount is estimated).

He joined Seibu Lions as the third pick in the 2022 draft from Kyushu International University High School. In October of last year, he underwent a tibial tuberosity fragment removal surgery, but has yet to play in the first team. Looking back on his third season, he said, "To be honest, it was tough."

The team selected Taiga Kojima, a powerful catcher from Meiji University, with their first pick in this season's draft. The competition for the starting catcher is expected to intensify. "I've been struggling with injuries for the past three years and haven't been able to achieve good results. My biggest goal for next season is to be promoted to the regular team and play in games for Belluna D, so I'll do my best," he vowed.