Lotte announced on the 7th that they have notified pitcher Yusuke Azuma (30), pitcher Riku Kikuchi (26), and infielder Katsumi Ishigaki (28) that their contracts will not be renewed for next season. All three players wish to continue their playing careers.
Azuma has no wins or losses and an ERA of 9.00 in one appearance this season. Kikuchi, the 2022 first-round draft pick, has no wins or losses and an ERA of 6.00 in two appearances this season. Sho Ishigaki had a .200 batting average, 0 Home Runs, and 1 RBI in eight games this season.
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