◆ Pacific League: Rakuten Eagles vs. Softbank Hawks (31st, Rakuten Eagles Mobile Saikyo Park Miyagi)

Rakuten Eagles outfielder Naoki Sato who had been sidelined due to poor physical condition, was added to the active roster on the 31st.

Sato, who joined the team from Softbank Hawks through the active player draft, played in 46 games this season, batting .274 with 6 Home Run and 17 RBI. He was a key player for the team with his powerful hitting and repeated good defensive plays, but was removed from the roster on the 2nd due to poor physical condition. This valuable player has returned after about a month.

Currently, the regular outfield positions are filled by three players: McCusker, Tatsumi, and Nakajima. If Sato returns, it will not only add depth to outfield but also broaden the range of starting line-up options, including the possibility of using McCusker as a designated hitter.

In his place, infielder Daichi Suzuki was removed from the active roster. Also, outfielder Soshi Yoshino and outfielder Sakagami, who had participated in the first-team practice on the 30th, have rejoined the second team.