On the 5th, the Rakuten Eagles announced that they have decided to dispatch Soshi Yoshino to the Australian Winter League.

Yoshino commented through the team, 'Last year I was allowed to go to Taiwan, and this year I am being allowed to go to Australia. I feel that not only must my baseball change, but I also need to change as a person. Since I will be living alone in Australia, I want to grasp something for both my baseball and my personal growth for next season and bring it back with me. I will do my best to contribute to the team next season.'

Yoshino played in 20 games this season, his fifth as a professional, and had a batting average of .118.