Sports · Baseball · 2 hrs ago
Kenta Bright announces retirement from baseball after mental health struggles
Kenta Bright has announced his retirement from professional baseball after five seasons with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan.
The 27-year-old outfielder said he began experiencing mental and physical health problems during this year's training camp and was diagnosed with depression.
He took leave from April 22 and did not play again this season.
Chunichi released him on September 30 after he appeared in five games this year.
Bright joined the team as a first-round draft pick in 2021 and played a career-high 83 games last season.
His health struggles led him to step away from the game, though he said he is still dealing with them.
He has not decided what he will do next and hopes to appear before fans again in some form when he is well.
Kenta Bright announced his retirement from professional baseball on October 15.
The Chunichi Dragons outfielder said he had been diagnosed with depression after experiencing mental and physical health problems since spring training.
He said he had been resting since April 22 and was still struggling.
Bright received a release notice from the Dragons on September 30.
He said he had not decided what he would do next.
- Who
- Kenta Bright, a 27-year-old outfielder for the Chunichi Dragons.
- What
- He announced his retirement from professional baseball and said he had been diagnosed with depression.
- When
- October 15, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- He said he had experienced mental and physical health problems since spring training and had been diagnosed with depression.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Bright said he began experiencing mental and physical health problems.
Bright said he began resting after being diagnosed with depression.
The Dragons gave Bright a release notice.
Bright announced his retirement in an Instagram post.
- Age
- 27
- Team
- Chunichi Dragons
- Draft
- First-round pick in 2021
- Rest began
- April 22, 2026
- Release notice
- September 30, 2026
- Most appearances in a season
- 83 games in 2025
3 sources
What people are saying
I have decided to quit baseball.
I was diagnosed with depression and fought it, but I have been resting since April 22.
Honestly, I am still fighting.
I wanted to return to the batter’s box to Aoi by Sakanaction and the sound of everyone’s loud cheers, but it did not come true.