Rakuten Eagles Eagles pitcher Kenta Maeda (37) participated in a joint voluntary practice session held in Kin Town, Okinawa on the 31st. He adjusted his training with catch practice and other drills. The right-hander, who is returning to Japanese baseball after 11 years, wiped away sweat and said, "Yesterday I had to travel, so today I did some light exercise to prepare for tomorrow."

He practiced wearing a navy blue cap with the word "Golden Eagle" written in white letters. "I bought it on Rakuten Eagles Market," he said with a smile. This season marks a fresh start in a new environment. "I think it might still feel a little strange to call myself Kenta Maeda of Rakuten Eagles, but I want to work hard to blend in so that it doesn't feel strange anymore, and to help the fans get used to me," he said with determination.

At his signing press conference, Maeda expressed his anxiety, saying, "I wonder if I'll be able to make friends." During individual practice sessions and breaks, he chatted with Contreras, Fujii, Tanaka Chi, and rookie Tatsuki Ito with a relaxed expression. "I talked to all pitcher, and a lot of the other members who came to camp, in the warm-up area and such." His "friend-making strategy" is progressing smoothly, and he's already starting to blend in with the team.

The training camp will begin on February 1st. The veteran, who will start the first-team training camp, predicted that he will be in bullpen from the first day of training camp, saying, "It's only the first day, so normally it's not the right time to go in, but with a new team and a new environment, I think I'll go in bullpen to get off to a good start."