Seibu Lions announced on the 17th that they have signed former The Giants pitcher Rei Takahashi to a developmental player contract. number will be 136.

Takahashi graduated from Senshu University Matsudo and joined Softbank Hawks as the second pick in the 2017 draft. Armed with a fastball from the right-hand side, he started all 23 games in 2019, winning 12 and earning the Rookie of the Year award. He was traded to The Giants in 2023, but only managed two wins in 2024. This season, he was released without making a first-team appearance and participated in a joint tryout for 12 teams in November.

Takahashi commented through the team, "I had a strong desire to continue playing baseball, and The Lions have provided me with the environment to do so. That's why I want to improve myself so that I can become a valuable asset to the team as soon as possible. My goal is to become pitcher who can contribute to The Lions' victory, and I want to produce solid results in the position I'm given. As a distinctive pitcher pitcher, I hope to inspire and absorb from Yoza, and continue to grow."

With Seibu Lions and Imai likely to transfer to the majors using the posting system, strengthening the starting lineup was an urgent priority for Seibu. Hiroike, the team's general manager, expressed his hopes for Takahashi's success in his new home, saying, "By being on the same team as pitcher Yoza, who is his classmate, I hope that we can deepen our ties even more than before and help each other improve. If he can regain his original form, he is pitcher who can be used as both a starter and a reliever."