Kota Inoue of the Chiba Lotte Marines, who is conducting his off-season training at MORI Allwave Stadium in Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture, released a statement through the team on the 17th.

Inoue said enthusiastically, "Every day is wonderful. I am having a fulfilling time. This year I will be with a new team until February 1st, so I am really looking forward to it and feel like it's my first year as a professional. I will do my best to make an impression."

Inoue joined Hanshin Tigers as the second pick in the 2019 draft and had long been expected to be a potential right-handed long-distance hitter. In 2024, he had the league's top batting average of .308 in the farm team, but was unable to fully develop in the first team. Last season, he only played in one game. He joined the team through the active player draft and is aiming to fully develop in his new environment.