Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, aiming for their first league championship since 2013, has seen new recruit Hikaru Ito make the opening day roster. What kind of player is this new addition, Hikaru Ito? Let's take a look at his performance so far.

During my time Orix Buffaloes

Hikaru Ito joined Orix Buffaloes in the third round of the 2007 high school draft. Until 2010, he had only played in a total of three games for the first team, but in 2011, his fourth year as a professional, he made a leap forward, playing in 66 games. On October 8, 2012, in a game against Fukuoka Softbank, he achieved no hitter with pitcher Yuki Nishi (currently Hanshin Tigers), who is one year younger than him.

In 2013, his sixth year out of high school, he played in 137 games, achieving a batting average of .285 (117 At Bat 410 hit) and hitting 3 Home Run. The following year, he continued to play as the starting catcher, and the team competed for the championship with Fukuoka Softbank. Many Pacific League fans will remember the "October 2nd showdown," in which the team lost to Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in extra inning innings, and the sight of Hikaru Ito shedding tears after missing out on the championship. Also that year, he won his first Best Nine and Mitsui Golden Glove Awards.

During my time with Yokohama DeNA

In 2018, his 11th year as a professional, his playing opportunities with Orix Buffaloes decreased, and in July he was traded to the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.

After joining Yokohama DeNA, he was sidelined due to injury, but he supported the team while competing with catcher such as Hiroki Minei (currently Fukuoka Softbank), Yasutaka Tobashira, and Yudai Yamamoto. In 2019, when Hikaru Ito played in 84 games, Yokohama DeNA finished second and participated in the Climax Series. In 2023, Hikaru Ito was also the main battery partner for pitcher Trevor Bauer, who made a surprise signing.

In 2025, with the emergence of young catcher Shion Matsuo in addition to Yamamoto, Hikaru Ito finished the season with a record-low 6 appearances since his transfer. Nevertheless, he still put up good numbers in the minor leagues, playing 75 games with a batting average of .309 and Home Run. In the offseason of 2025, he exercised his overseas free agency rights and chose Tohoku Rakuten Eagles as his new home.

Can he shine in Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, a team dominated by veteran catcher?

The 2026 season began with Tohoku Rakuten Eagles. February started with the minor league camp held in Kumejima, and he appeared in four starting line-up games, including three as a starter. His batting record was 2 hit in 7 At Bat-bats, for a batting average of .286.

Last season, Tohoku Rakuten Eagles 's catcher made it to the first team were Hikaru Ota, Kengo Horiuchi, Tsuyoshi Ishihara, and Takaya Tanaka. While the team mainly consists of middle-aged players, a seasoned veteran with a proven track record will be joining them. Keep an eye on Hikaru Ito, who is returning to Pacific League after eight seasons.

Text by Ayako Kikuchi