Seibu Lions 's Kaima Taira pitcher (26), who was selected to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, has decided to withdraw from the tournament. He will be replaced by Shoma Fujihira pitcher (27) of Rakuten Eagles.

Taira complained of discomfort in his left calf during practice on the 5th, and was absent from practice on the 6th. On the 7th, the team announced that he had visited a hospital in Miyazaki City and was diagnosed with a "mild strain in his left calf."

When he was selected, he expressed his enthusiasm, saying, "I want to throw every pitch with all I have, carrying the responsibility and pride of fighting for the Japanese flag in my heart." However, he was told he would be out of action for two to three weeks, and he decided to withdraw from the tournament.

The right-handed pitcher played in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and contributed to the team's gold medal, but did not play in the last WBC as it coincided with his transition to starting. His name was called in the first announcement of players for this tournament in December last year, and he was expected to be a key relief pitcher. He will aim to fully recover in time for the upcoming regular season.

Kaima Taira was born November 15, 1999, in Okinawa Prefecture. He is 26 years old. He joined Seibu Lions as the fourth pick in the 2017 draft from Yaeyama Commercial High School. In 2020, he pitched 54 times, recording 1 win, 0 losses, 1 save, and 33 hold, earning him the Rookie of the Year award. In 2021, he set a professional baseball record with 39 consecutive runs games. He also contributed to the team's gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. In 2022, he was named the league's best reliever pitcher recording 1 win, 3 losses, 9 saves, and 34 hold in 61 appearances, tying the league record. In 2023, he transitioned to starting pitching, recording 11 wins (7 losses), and in 2025, he recorded 31 saves closer, earning him the most saves. He is 173 cm tall and weighs 93 kg. He throws right-handed and bats left-handed. His annual salary this season is 300 million yen (estimated).