◇ Rakuten Eagles' Kazuki Tanaka retires from active play

Rakuten Eagles announced that Kazuki Tanaka will retire from active play at the end of this season. A ceremony is scheduled to be held at Fan Thanksgiving 2026.

Tanaka joined from Rikkyo University as the 3rd draft pick in 2016. In his second year, 2018, he appeared in a career-high 105 games and was crowned Rookie of the Year with a .265 batting average, 18 Home Runs, 45 RBI, and 21 stolen bases. Last season, he was limited to 19 appearances with the first team, and in this 10th season, he had no first-team appearances. In the farm league, he had a batting average of .230 in 34 games.

◇ Chiba Lotte Marines will not renew contracts with 5 players for next season

Chiba Lotte Marines announced that they have notified five players—pitcher Rikima Ichijo, Kirato Nagashimada, and pitcher Rui Katsumata, as well as pitcher Humiya Motomae​ ​Mitsumi Takano—that their contracts will not be renewed for next season. pitcher Ichijo, in his second year with the team, will retire. pitcher Honmae and Katsumata will continue playing, while the future of pitcher Nagashimada and fielder’s choice is undecided.

◇ Two Orix Buffaloes coaches step down

Orix Buffaloes announced that they will not renew the coaching contract for next season with Head Coach Toshio Haru due to the expiration of his contract term. Coach Haru served as the development chief coach for two years starting in 2023 and as the minor league manager last year.

Additionally, it was announced that hitting coach Keizo Kawashima requested to leave the team, and his resignation was accepted. Coach Kawashima had been serving as the hitting coach for the Orix Buffaloes since last year.

Orix Buffaloes' Machado returns home

On the 3rd, Orix Buffaloes pitcher Machado returned home. Pitcher Machado participated as a representative of Venezuela in the "2026 WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC™" in March, contributing to the country's first championship by becoming the winning pitcher in the final. After the season opened, he served as the closer, appearing in 50 games for the third consecutive year, and recorded 35 saves, currently tied for the league lead.

▼Comment from Pitcher Machado▼
"First and foremost, I want to thank God for being able to play healthily again this season. To all the fans, thank you so much for supporting us until the very end this season. I cannot express in words how much of a great strength your support has been.

To my teammates, coaches, and all the staff. I am grateful for everything we have accomplished together this year. Although we were unable to advance to the Climax Series, I sincerely thank you for all the support you gave us this season.

If I can play for the Orix Buffaloes next year, I want to do my best to deliver a Climax Series appearance to the fans and win the championship."

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