On the 11th, the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) and other baseball announced that pitcher Seibu Lions Kaima Taira (26), who had been selected to represent Japan in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, would withdraw from the tournament due to a left calf strain. Rakuten Eagles pitcher Shoma Fujihira (27) has been added to the team in his place.

Samurai Japan, aiming for a consecutive championship, has been hit with an emergency. Taira, who has extensive experience as a starter and reliever and was considered a potential closer in the WBC, has decided to withdraw from the tournament. On the 3rd, he threw 30 pitches in live batting practice (batting practice in a game-like setting), reaching a top speed of 151 km/h. However, during practice on the 5th, he felt discomfort in his left calf, and on the 7th, it was announced that he had suffered a "mild strain in his left calf" and would be out for two to three weeks. Samurai Japan's first game is on March 6th. When he was included in the roster announced in advance at the end of last year, he was enthusiastic, saying, "I want to put everything I have into every pitch, with the responsibility and pride of fighting for the Japanese flag in my heart." However, the injury made it difficult for him to fully prepare, and he regretfully withdrew from the tournament.

Fujihira was called up as an emergency player after the right-handed pitcher, who had a top speed of 160 km/h, withdrew from the team. His talent blossomed after he switched to relief pitching in 2012. In the autumn of that year, at the international tournament "ERA 12," he made the most appearances on the team with a team-high six appearances and a 0.00 ERA, rapidly raising the evaluations of manager Ibata and other executives. Although he was not included in the 30-man WBC team, when Taira, who was expected to be a right-handed reliever, withdrew from the team, the rapidly developing powerhouse was chosen. Fujihira, who was assigned number "46," commented through the team, "I am honored to have been selected. I will do my best in the position I have been entrusted with. I will do my best to contribute to Samurai Japan's win."

When the 30-man WBC roster was announced on the 4th, Rakuten Eagles was the only NPB team without a representative player, but with Fujihira's additional call-up, all 12 teams will now be represented. At the last tournament in 2023, Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki, a potential starting batter, withdrew from the tournament due to a short-term injury, but Japan overcame the emergency situation to win its first championship in three tournaments. The team is scheduled to begin a pre-season training camp in Miyazaki on the 14th. Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers) and others will then join the team, and the team will begin preparations for the first game of the first round against Taiwan (Tokyo Dome) on March 6th.

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).

◆Fujihira Shoma: Born September 21, 1998 in Chiba Prefecture. 27 years old. Played at Koshien in the summer of his third year with Yokohama. Joined Rakuten Eagles as the first pick in the 2016 draft. Began full-time relief pitching in 2024. In last fall's Premier 12, he had a 0.00 ERA in six games. In nine years as a professional, he has made 154 appearances, with a record of 12 wins and 19 losses, 41 hold, and 13 saves. He ERA 3.48. He is 185 cm tall and weighs 85 kg. He throws and bats right-handed. His annual salary this season is 80 million yen (estimated amount).