Lotte announced on the 4th that pitcher Yuki Karakawa (37) will retire from active duty at the end of this season, and a retirement ceremony will be held during the game against the Softbank Hawks at ZOZO Marine Stadium on October 3rd.

He participated in the 2006 and 2007 Senbatsu tournaments with Narita High School, and in the 2007 high school draft, he garnered attention as one of the 'High School Big 3' alongside Sho Nakata of Osaka Toin and Yoshinori Sato of Sendai Ikuei. Karakawa joined Lotte as a first-round pick in the high school draft. In his first year in 2008, responding to Manager Valentine's expectations, he recorded 5 wins, including becoming the fourth high school rookie in history to win his first three consecutive starts. In 2011, he achieved a career-high 12 wins, and from 2018, he played a role in the relief squad, though his appearances have decreased in recent years. In this, his 19th season, he has not pitched in a first-team game since suffering his first loss after giving up 4 runs in 5 innings as a starter in the May 30th game against the Hanshin Tigers (ZOZO).

Following Kakunaka, he is the next on the team to decide on retirement. The 82-win right-hander, the last of the 'Big 3' to hang up his uniform, reflected, 'I entered this season with resolve, and after facing myself, I reached this decision. In the harsh world of professional baseball, things didn't go well more often than not. I feel truly happy to have been able to play for 19 years.' Manager Saburo, who has known him since his rookie days, said, 'I was delighted when such a wonderful pitcher joined. As a junior player I was fond of during my active days, I want to say "good job." Since there are still games left, I hope he adjusts accordingly,' suggesting he will be used in the game on October 3rd.

Yakult second-team pitcher coach Yoshinori expressed his regret over the retirement of Lotte's Karakawa. During their time at Sendai Ikuei, he was known as one of the 'High School Big 3' alongside Narita's Karakawa and Osaka Toin's Nakata. He offered words of appreciation, saying, 'I was very conscious of Karakawa. Having pitched in the same generation, he gave me a lot of inspiration, and I feel I met a great comrade. Thank you for your hard work during your 19 years of professional baseball life.'

Yuki Karakawa. Born July 5, 1989, in Narita City, Chiba. 37 years old. At Narita High School, he participated in the Spring Koshien in 2006 and 2007. He joined Lotte as a first-round pick in the 2007 high school draft. In 350 career games, he has 82 wins, 78 losses, 64 holds, and a 3.71 ERA. This season, he has 0 wins and 1 loss in 1 game with a 7.20 ERA. 181 cm, 90 kg. Right-handed pitcher and batter. Estimated salary for this season is 44 million yen. Married.