On the 25th, Lotte announced that pitcher Rikuto Yokoyama will be the new president of the players' association, a position previously held infielder Shogo Nakamura until this season.

The 24-year-old right-hander, who will wear the number "15" from next season, said, "To be honest, I never thought that the day would come when I would be able to be the player president. I am very happy to be entrusted with this task. As the player president, I will be in a position like a representative of the The Marines players, so I want to be a person who can act and speak in a way that is not ashamed of it. However, there are still many immature areas in the current situation, so I hope that with the advice and support of Mr. Shogo Nakamura, who has worked hard as the player president, and various seniors, we can create a better environment and make the team a good team. As an individual, my number has changed anew, and it will be a new season as I will be appointed as the player president, so I hope I can play an active role in leading the team. I will do my best."

This season, his sixth year since joining the team as the fourth pick in the 2019 draft from Senshu University Matsudo, he has pitched in a career-high 50 games, with two wins, four losses, 12 ERA 2.08.At a press conference after signing a contract renewal on November 27th for an annual salary of 58 million yen (estimated amount), an increase of 20 million yen, he said, "I want to win a title, so I'd like to aim to be the saves leader.I've set a goal of 30 or more saves, and I'd like to put myself in a position to aim for the title."