Nippon-Ham announced on the 1st that they have approved pitcher Hiromi Ito's (29) MLB transfer using the posting system and have begun the application process on this day, the first day of the filing period. Ito commented, 'Playing in the Major Leagues has been a dream of mine since I was a child and one of the goals I have always aimed for. I am also truly grateful to the Nippon-Ham Fighters for selecting me as their first-round draft pick, as someone born and raised in Hokkaido, and for giving me the opportunity to grow.'

In his sixth season this year, he started 26 games, recording 10 wins and 10 losses with an ERA of 3.18. He reached the regulation innings pitched for the sixth consecutive year since joining the team and also marked double-digit wins for the third consecutive year. When he visited Es Con on October 23, he had been contemplating deeply without participating in the fall camp, stating, 'I am worrying more than I ever have in my life. Ultimately, I want to choose the path I won't regret.'

MLB clubs have been closely monitoring the status of last season's Sawamura Award-winning right-hander since the middle of the season. American transfer rumor sites have reported that the Giants and others in need of starting rotation reinforcements are showing strong interest in acquiring him, along with Seibu Lions' Taira. The negotiation period lasts for 45 days starting from the day after the MLB office's public notice, but with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire on December 1st this offseason, a lockout is highly likely to follow. 'I hope to decide my path as quickly as possible and report my decision to all the fans by December,' he said, aiming for an early resolution within November.

If he moves to the Major Leagues via the posting system, he will be the fifth player from the club to do so, following Darvish, Ohtani, Arihara, and Uwasawa. 'Like my great predecessors, I want to compete on the world's highest stage with gratitude and pride for The Fighters in my heart,' Ito said. The absolute ace, raised in the northern land, will cross the ocean with firm determination.

Nippon-Ham manager Shinjo has given his support for Ito's challenge to move to the Major Leagues. Following the club's announcement that Ito has applied for the posting system, Shinjo sent a message of encouragement, saying, 'This is something I've been saying for a long time. I want to support what he has decided for himself.' On the other hand, he also expressed his honest feelings about wanting to fight alongside him, stating, 'His destination hasn't been decided yet, right? He might stay. I would like to work together, though. It's not something I can really have a say in,' while still supporting the ace's dream.

Regarding this off-season's posting system: Applications will begin on November 1st. Under normal circumstances, the negotiation period lasts for 45 days after MLB notifies all 30 clubs that the player is available for contract. However, negotiations for the new collective bargaining agreement are expected to be difficult this off-season. If a new agreement cannot be reached, the deadline for posting negotiations is expected to be moved forward to December 1st, when the current agreement expires. It is reported that the 12 NPB teams have also been notified of this.

Hiromi Ito. Born August 31, 1997, in Shikabe Town, Hokkaido. 29 years old. After graduating from Komazawa University Tomakomai High School, he entered Komazawa University but dropped out in the fall of his freshman year, enrolling in Tomakomai Komazawa University (now Hokuyo University) the following year. He joined Nippon-Ham as the first-round draft pick in 2020. He represented Japan in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 and 2026 WBC. In 2025, he won the Sawamura Award with 14 wins. His career NPB stats include 152 appearances, 65 wins, 51 losses, and a 2.92 ERA. He is 176 cm tall and weighs 85 kg. A right-handed pitcher and left-handed batter. Married. His estimated salary for this season is 340 million yen.