Rakuten Eagles pitcher Naoto Nishiguchi (29) attended contract negotiations at Rakuten Eagles Mobile's home stadium on the 23rd and signed a contract for an annual salary of 50 million yen, an increase of 35 million yen (all amounts are estimates). Having recovered from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in September 2011, he pitched in 52 games, all as reliever, with a record of 3 wins, 1 loss, 1 save, 31 hold, and an ERA of 1.07, supporting the relief corps. He was also selected for Samurai Japan and pitched in a friendly match against the South Korean national team in November. Looking ahead to next season, Nishiguchi stated, "My goal is to pitch in the situations I'm entrusted with," but also expressed his determination to aim for a spot as a starter, saying, "I've been saying since last year that I want to try my hand at being a starter."
He said he has been working towards becoming a starter since his rehabilitation, and said, "It's not a turning point, but I think the exhibition games will be a crucial moment," and intends to show his aptitude in actual games and aim to enter the starting rotation. While focusing on his most confident fastball, which he said "feels more powerful after the surgery," he also expressed his intention to increase the proportion of his curveballs, saying, "Variations in speed will be very important." He is already in starting mode. First, he will appeal to the management from camp and contribute to the team in a different way than this season.
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・ [Rakuten Eagles] Samurai Japan right-hander Naoto Nishiguchi Nishiguchi signs for a 50 million yen annual salary, an increase of 35 million yen. He is eager to play in the WBC and will "prepare thoroughly."
・ [DeNA] Mitsuki Yoshino, who will receive a 3 million yen pay cut, will switch to reliever pitching. He plans to become an apprentice to Ise during the offseason. "I want to hear how he is preparing."
・ [Rakuten Eagles] "Just like reliever, one inning at a inning" Uchi, who will start against Lotte on the 19th, will face the game with a selfless attitude
・ [Lotte] Shunsuke Nakamori signs for 26 million yen, an increase of 10 million yen. His back pain has completely healed. Next season, he plans to be in the rotation if he's a starter, and win the title if he's reliever.
・ [Samurai Japan] Rakuten Eagles 's Naoto Nishiguchi selected for the first time, vowing to pitch with all his might to finish off this "too good" season... Warm-up match against South Korea in November
