◆Exhibition game: Chunichi 2-2 Lotte (21st, Vantelin Dome)

Lotte manager Saburo (49) announced after the game on April 21 that he has chosen the second left-handed starter draft pick, Kaito Mori pitcher (22), of Meiji University to open the season against Seibu Lions ZOZO on April 27. This is the second time in 76 years, since Yoshimi Ebara in 1950, that a newcomer to a baseball team will be the opening pitcher game.

Manager Saburo said, "We'll start with Mori on opening day. I told him after practice today. I told him, 'Don't worry about the results, just enjoy pitching.' It's tough being a rookie, but he'll have to pitch in a few years anyway. I'm hoping that if he does it now, he'll grow even more."

The starting rotation for the opening series against Seibu Lions has also been decided, with Mori pitching in the first game on the 27th, Tanaka in the second game on the 28th, and Kojima in the third game on the 29th.