On the 26th, the Seibu Lions announced that they have notified pitcher Ryota Itokawa, pitcher Mikato Aoyama, pitcher Takeru Sasaki, player Shoya Makino, player Tokumasa Chano, player Yuudai Furukawa, and player Kuan-Chen Lin that their contracts will not be renewed for the next season.

▼ Comments from pitcher Ryota Itokawa

"Looking back on my three years with The Lions, I am truly sorry that I was unable to fully meet the team's expectations and contribute more. On the other hand, I also feel that I steadily improved from my first year to my second, and from my second to my third, albeit slowly. I believe that The Lions' environment, where I was taught from various angles by the coaches and biomechanics staff, contributed to my growth. What stands out most in my memory is the game last year at Belluna Dome where I pitched in the top of the 12th inning with the score tied. I still clearly remember the cheers when I closer mound in a tense situation for the first time and retired the side in order. The game this year at ES CON FIELD Hokkaido where I recorded my first hold also stands out in my memory. This year, compared to previous years, I have had many more opportunities to hear people say, 'I bought jersey,' or 'I bought your towel.' That's why my biggest regret to the fans is that I wasn't able to show them me playing in jersey for each event at Belluna Dome." Especially since the summer, I've received tremendous support whenever I've taken mound in the minor leagues. That support has really encouraged me and made me feel like I still have a long way to go. Thank you very much."

▼Comments pitcher Mikato Aoyama

During my first two years after joining the team, I was given many opportunities to pitch even though I didn't know much, and I was able to experience various roles such as starting and relief pitching. On the other hand, over the past two years, many things did not go well, and I feel frustrated that I could not produce results sufficient to establish my own role. There were parts that fell into a vicious cycle, such as my velocity dropping due to fatigue and not returning easily, and conversely, losing control by seeking too much speed. This year, I was called to the first-team camp and given a chance with the first team in May, but I was unable to seize that opportunity. My condition was good in the summer, and it was positive that I could pitch throughout the year without injury, but it is frustrating that I could not translate that into results. I can still never forget the cheers from all the fans when I recorded my first save and when I marked my first professional win with a shutout game. It is a regret that I could not perform well enough to hear those cheers many times, but the support from all the fans remains strongly in my heart. These four years went by in a flash, but thank you so much for all your support.

▼ Comment from pitcher Takeru Sasaki

It has gone by in the blink of an eye, but these six years have been extremely dense with various experiences. Despite being drafted from the corporate league as a player expected to contribute immediately, I had many technical shortcomings. Including my rehabilitation periods, I worked hard to somehow become a full-fledged professional baseball player. For that reason, I feel frustrated that it has come to this result. Over these six years, I have been supported by so many people. Even during rehab, players on the first-team roster and many others sent me messages or spoke to me when we met, which made me strongly feel that people were watching over me. In particular, I am grateful to pitcher coach Toyota, who created a place for me on the first team and gave me many opportunities to play. Since he also cared for me during my rehab, I wanted to live up to his expectations more; I feel both gratitude and regret. And to the fans, I am truly grateful from the bottom of my heart. Because the bullpen at Belluna Dome is close to the left-field stands, I was able to feel your cheers up close. To me, they are the best cheers in the world. Being able to hear those cheers on the mound was true happiness. Looking back, having that moment in my life was the greatest happiness of all. I was able to keep going until now through the long rehabilitation periods only because all of you were supporting me. Your cheers became my goal to stand on that mound once again and supported me as I aimed for a comeback. Thank you so much for these six years.

▼ Comment from Shoya Makino

"These eight years went by in the blink of an eye. I am grateful for the experience of crawling back up from the difficult position of being a developmental player and being able to play as a rostered player once again. When I first joined, it was an unknown world, and there were many amazing players and seniors around me. In that harsh world, I was unable to achieve the results I wanted, and I could not lead the player life I had envisioned, but I was blessed with great seniors, coaches, and juniors. In particular, on the day I first returned to the roster from developmental status, I formed a battery with my classmate and contemporary Yutaro Watanabe, and standing on the hero's podium together after a shutout game win is a truly cherished memory. To all the fans, thank you for your support until now. It is truly frustrating that I could not produce results and contribute to the team, but your passionate and warm support was always a source of strength for me."

▼ Comment from Tokumasa Chano

When my transfer to The Lions was decided, I wondered what kind of environment it would be, but the players and all the staff welcomed me warmly. Everyone spoke to me kindly from the beginning, and I was truly grateful. Although it was a short period of one year, it was a very good experience. Including my time with the Orix Buffaloes, the most memorable moment was the game where I was chosen for the opening day starting line-up. Since my professional baseball career started from there, that opening game remains the most impressionable. To all The Lions fans, although it was a short time of one year, thank you very much for all your support.

▼ Yuudai Furukawa's Comment

Looking back on these past four years, I regret that I played with hesitation, unable to establish my own style of play. I was constantly searching for what kind of player I should become. This year in particular, I felt I had a decent start during camp, but then I was sidelined by an injury. Even after returning, my condition didn't improve, I couldn't produce results, and I have a strong sense that I was unable to do anything; it was a painful year. Watching the players performing in the first squad, I felt frustration and even jealousy that I wasn't there and couldn't contribute to the team's strength. On the other hand, experiencing the first squad stage last year and getting a feel for that atmosphere was a significant experience for me. The day I was first called up to the first squad and the day I got my first hit are my best memories. After that first hit, I received so many 'congratulations' messages from everyone on the team and my friends back home that I couldn't even reply to them all, which made me truly happy. Those two days made me strongly determined to keep working hard. To the fans, I feel sorry that I couldn't become a key asset for The Lions. Thank you very much for all your support.

▼ Comment from Kuan-Chen Lin

"Over these past two years, I had many injuries and couldn't play baseball as I wanted. I repeatedly injured my lower body and even underwent surgery this year, so I had fewer opportunities to play than in my first year. I joined the team imagining that the professional world would be tough, but in reality, it was even tougher than I imagined. Seeing my teammates from the same draft class working hard in practice and games made me feel frustrated. During that time, especially this year, I learned about body movement, the core strength I lacked, and range of motion, and I felt the importance of building a body that doesn't get injured. Even when I couldn't play in games, the sight of fans wearing my jersey or holding my merchandise to support me left a strong impression. I am truly grateful to everyone who supported me for these two years. Thank you very much."

▼ Players who have been released

pitcher

Ryota Itokawa

Mikato Aoyama

Takeru Sasaki

catcher

Shoya Makino

outfielder

Tokumasa Chano

Yuudai Furukawa

Kuan-Chen Lin