pitcher Kenta Maeda, who joined Rakuten Eagles Golden Eagles, opened his voluntary training session to the public in Okinawa Prefecture on the 10th. He warmed up by catch and sprinting. The experienced right-hander, who returned to Japanese baseball after an 11-year absence, spoke of his feelings, saying, "I'm excited to be playing for a new team and in Japan for the first time in a while. I'm approaching this voluntary training session with a fresher feeling than usual, so I'm practicing with great excitement."

On the 9th, former Lotte player Sawamura, who was also a member of the 1988 generation, announced his retirement. "I received a call from Sawamura. He told me he was quitting and retiring," he said, revealing that he received the news directly over the phone. "Anyway, I told him thank you for your hard work, and that I'd try a little harder," he said, revealing the exchange.

This season marks his 20th year as a professional. With a total of 165 wins in Japan and the US, the right-handed pitcher is expected to be a key part of 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 want to contribute as much as I can to becoming the best in Japan," he said, expressing his determination.

◆Current Japanese NPB players of the 1988 generation (born April 2, 1988 to April 1, 1989)

Ken Maeda (Rakuten Eagles)

Sakamoto, Masahiro Tanaka (The Giants)

Ohno (Chunichi)

Yanagita (Softbank Hawks)

Akiyama, Aizawa (Hiroshima)

Miyazaki (DeNA)

Ishiyama (Yakult)

Sawamura, who left Lotte, has retired. Ayumu Ishikawa, who also left Lotte, will continue playing in the Dutch league.