◆ Head coach Tatsuya Shiokawa takes on the role of acting manager: "I want them to stay focused and determined."

Rakuten Eagles, currently languishing at the bottom of Pacific League, has announced that manager Hajime Miki will be taking a leave of absence. Head coach Tatsuya Shiokawa will take over as interim manager from the game on the 10th, but the team remains in last place with a record of 2 wins and 11 losses in the interleague series.

Yosuke Hiraishi, who has experience as acting manager of the same team, said on Fuji TV ONE's "Pro baseball News 2026" broadcast on the 10th, "I was the head coach in exactly the same way, so this isn't just the manager's responsibility. I felt responsible for that too. But if you're going to do it, you have to do something for the team, so in order to get the team in a good direction, once you accept the role, you just have to be determined and do it. When I was asked to be acting manager, I made sure I didn't waver at all." He then offered encouragement to Acting Manager Shiokawa, saying, "I hope that he will also be determined and do it without wavering."

Tomotaka Sakaguchi, who, like acting manager Shiokawa, is a graduate of Kobe International University High School, expressed his expectations, saying, "He was a senior who was very intelligent when it came to baseball, so I think he'll be able to turn things around somehow."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"