Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
SoftBank tells outfielder Riku Ogata he will not be offered a contract
SoftBank will not offer Riku Ogata a contract for next season, the club announced on October 29.
The 28-year-old outfielder joined the team in 2020 as a developmental draft pick and earned a full roster place in 2024.
He played 14 first-team games this season, after appearing in 86 games in 2024 and 101 in 2025.
Ogata also took part in the Japan Series, entering Game 1 as a pinch runner, shortly before the club’s announcement.
SoftBank has now notified 19 players they are not in its plans, including players on both its regular and developmental rosters.
The club selected 24 players in the recent draft, a record, including nine for its regular roster and 15 developmental players.
The moves come as SoftBank reshapes its roster for next season; the club has not said what Ogata will do next.
SoftBank announced on October 29 that outfielder Riku Ogata would not receive a first-team player contract for next season.
The 28-year-old played 14 first-team games this season, recording two hits in six at-bats.
Ogata appeared in 201 games over his career, with 27 hits, 10 runs batted in and 23 stolen bases.
He was on SoftBank’s 40-man Japan Series roster and appeared as a pinch runner in Game 1.
His notice brought the number of SoftBank players told they were not in the team’s plans this offseason to 19.
- Who
- SoftBank outfielder Riku Ogata, 28.
- What
- The team said it would not offer him a first-team player contract for next season.
- When
- October 29, 2026.
- Where
- SoftBank announced the decision; a more specific location is not stated.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
SoftBank selected 24 players in the draft, including nine under standard contracts and 15 development players.
Ogata was on SoftBank’s 40-man roster and entered Game 1 as a pinch runner.
SoftBank announced that Ogata would not receive a first-team player contract for next season.
- Age
- 28
- This season
- 14 first-team games; 2 hits in 6 at-bats
- Career
- 201 games; 27 hits; 10 runs batted in; 23 stolen bases
- SoftBank offseason notices
- 19 players
- 2026 draft selections
- 24 players: 9 standard-contract and 15 development players