Kenta Maeda pitcher joined Rakuten Eagles, held an open practice session in Okinawa Prefecture on the 10th. He adjusted his training with activities such as catch practice and sprints. The experienced right-hander, who is returning to Japanese baseball after 11 years, said with excitement, "I'm excited to be playing for a new team and in Japan again after so long, and I'm approaching this practice with a fresher feeling than usual, so I'm practicing with great anticipation."

In the 2015 offseason, he moved to the Dodgers through the posting system, and in his first year in the US, he recorded 16 wins, and in 2017 and 2019, he also recorded double-digit win. Last season, after leaving The Tigers, he signed a minor league contract with the Cubs in May, and from August he played for Scranton, the Yankees' Triple-A affiliate. This offseason, he says he has increased his training pace compared to when he was in the US. "I'm training a little earlier. In the US, you join the team in mid-February and practice with the team, so I have to start about two weeks earlier. I thought about whether I could do it at my usual pace, but I think the first start with a new team is very important, so I'm conscious of getting ready a little earlier so that I can start in good condition and show a good performance," he revealed.

The right-handed pitcher, who has a total of 165 wins in Japan and the U.S., is expected to be a key player in the starting rotation. "I believe that the only thing I can do is produce results, so I want to pitch a lot for the team and win a lot. I will do my best to contribute so that we can become the best in Japan," he said, exuding determination.