Neftalí Soto infielder of the Lotte Marines, responded to interviews on the 31st in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki, where the team's first-team spring training camp is being held.

This is the first time in 28 years that a foreign player has been appointed captain for the team, since Julio Franco in 1998. Looking back on when he was asked by Manager Saburo last year, he said, "I was honestly happy. To be honest, I was happy but also a little nervous. When I told my wife about it, she was very happy."

He joined the team from the first day of the first-team camp on February 1. "Everyone is enthusiastic and determined to do their best. We want to do our jobs well," he said, exuding his awareness as captain.