Here’s a look at Rakuten’s past week and what’s ahead for the team. Each club gets a recap featuring last week’s MVP picked by our beat reporter, key storylines for the upcoming week, roster moves and minor league updates, plus promotional news.
Last Week’s MVP: Infielder Ryoya Taira (27) crushed home runs in three consecutive games. Early in the season, he mainly appeared as a pinch runner, but after hitting his first career homer—a solo shot—in his first start of the year on April 29 against Lotte, he went deep in all three games of the Nippon-Ham series starting May 4, showcasing his power. Despite a modest 170 cm, 78 kg frame, Taira is producing a steady stream of home runs. (Selected by reporter Aito Yamada)
This Week’s Spotlight: All eyes are on pitcher Kosei Shoji (25) as he aims to match his career-best 5 wins, set in his rookie season of 2023. Making his first Opening Day start this year, Shoji has been a driving force for the team, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.93 ERA over six starts. On May 5 against Nippon-Ham, he threw a season-high 123 pitches and delivered a quality start—7 innings, 2 runs allowed—to earn the victory. Having never been removed from the active roster since Opening Day, the right-hander’s gritty performances are worth watching.
Roster Moves & Minor League: Veteran pitcher Takayuki Kishi (41) threw a season-long 7 innings in a minor league game against Yakult on May 8, allowing just 5 hits and no runs, steadily improving his form. Left-hander Takahisa Hayakawa, who was taken off the active roster, will be eligible to return from May 14, while Kenta Maeda can be reinstated from May 17. Meanwhile, pitcher Ryota Takinaka—who started on short rest (5 days) in the May 10 game against Seibu and allowed 2 runs in just 1.2 innings—has been removed from the active roster.
Promotional News: Shiori Kubo, a former member of Nogizaka46 and a Miyagi Prefecture native, will visit Rakuten Mobile Park for the May 16 game against SoftBank. Before the game, she will hold a talk show at the main plaza in front of the stadium and also throw a ceremonial first pitch. On that day, the first 15,000 fans will receive a special “VIVID PINK” third jersey.
