The Orix Buffaloes announced on the 5th that infielder Keita Nakagawa has declared his intention to exercise his domestic free agency rights.

Nakagawa commented through the team, 'Today, I have completed the procedures to exercise my free agency rights. When I entered the world of professional baseball as a seventh-round draft pick, I never imagined I would become a player capable of obtaining free agency rights. I am truly grateful to the team officials and all the fans. When I imagined myself after my playing career ends, I decided to exercise my free agency rights because I wanted to make a decision I wouldn't regret. I want to take my time to think carefully about how I will spend my future baseball life.'

Nakagawa joined the Orix Buffaloes as a 7th-round draft pick in 2018, and in his first year in 2019, he played in 111 games, recording a .288 batting average, 3 Home Runs, and 32 RBI. Although his performance declined in his second and third years, he reclaimed his regular spot in his fourth year in 2022, playing in 110 games with a .283 batting average, 8 Home Runs, and 51 RBI. In his fifth year in 2023, he played in 135 games, recording a .269 batting average, 12 Home Runs, and 55 RBI. This season, he played in 113 games, finishing with a .252 batting average, 6 Home Runs, and 33 RBI.