Rakuten Eagles Kenta Maeda pitcher (37), who returned to the Japanese baseball world after an 11-year absence, succeeded in advancing "Operation Friendship" on the 31st. He participated in a voluntary training session in Kanatake, Okinawa. He actively communicated with his teammates and blended in with them. The right-hander, who has vowed to go full rotation, also stated that he would be bullpen in the camp on the first day of camp.

He had become completely immersed in the role of "Rakuten Eagles 's Maeken," both in body and soul. He played catch wearing a cap he had bought himself from Rakuten Eagles Market, which featured the team's official merchandise logo, "Golden Eagle." In between practice sessions, he chatted with his teammates with a gentle smile, quickly becoming comfortable with them. "I think it still feels a little strange to call me Kenta Maeda of Rakuten Eagles, but I hope to blend in so well that it will no longer feel strange." He had made a promising start in his new environment.

He is already beginning to ease his anxiety. "I'm extremely anxious. What if I'm alone?" At his press conference in December when he joined the team, he jokingly expressed his worries about not having any friends. However, it looks like those concerns have turned out to be unnecessary. On the 30th, the day before he joined the team, he had dinner with Fujii and others. On that day, he had a friendly chat with Tanaka Sen, Contreras, Uchi and others. "I've greeted and talked to some of the players at the hotel and at the stadium, and I'm slowly making friends." He is executing his strategy smoothly.

The training camp will begin on February 1st. "I'll head to bullpen to get off to a good start in this new environment," he said, indicating he would be entering bullpen from the very first day of camp. Maeda's "new chapter," with a goal of 180 inning innings pitched, is officially underway. (Kota Miyauchi)