Rakuten Eagles Kenta Maeda pitcher (37) served as chief of police for a day at the Minami Sakai Police Station in Sakai City, Osaka, on March 25, and showed his determination to make a full rotation as a member of the starting rotation.

The right-handed pitcher, who is returning to Japanese baseball for the first time in 11 years, is expected to play an important role as a central part of the starting rotation. "Our bodies are important too, so if we don't follow the rules, we can get injured. I've returned to Japan this season, so I'll do my best to contribute to the team," he said enthusiastically.

His target innings pitched number is 180 inning. "In the past, I used to aim for 200 (inning), but nowadays it is not so easy to throw 200. innings pitched If I can throw 180 inning, I think I'm throwing very well nowadays, so I'd like to work toward that goal," he said.

Throwing long inning also reduces the burden on the bullpen. Last season, none of Rakuten Eagles 's starting lineup reached regulation innings pitched. "I am always conscious of being able to rest reliever on my pitching days, and I think it is important to throw for mound a long time as a starter," he emphasized.