Sports · Baseball · 1 day ago
Koji Fukutani to leave Nippon-Ham Fighters after two seasons
The Nippon-Ham Fighters announced Koji Fukutani's departure on October 20.
Fukutani is a 35-year-old right-handed pitcher who joined the Hokkaido team from the Chunichi Dragons as a free agent before the 2025 season.
He made 26 first-team appearances in two seasons with the Fighters, all as a reliever.
This season, he appeared in 12 games and recorded a 4.26 earned run average.
Fukutani said he was disappointed he could not help the team more, and thanked fans for their support.
He also said he did not regret choosing the Fighters and believed joining them was the right decision.
The team has announced his departure, but no next team or future plans are given.
The Nippon-Ham Fighters announced on October 20 that pitcher Koji Fukutani will leave the team.
Fukutani, 35, joined the Fighters as a free agent from the Chunichi Dragons before the 2025 season.
He appeared in 26 first-team games over two seasons with Nippon-Ham.
He said he was disappointed that he had not felt he could help the team, and thanked fans for their support.
He also said he had never regretted joining the Fighters and was proud of his decision.
- Who
- Koji Fukutani, a 35-year-old pitcher.
- What
- He will leave the Nippon-Ham Fighters after two seasons.
- When
- The team announced the decision on October 20, 2026.
- Where
- Nippon-Ham Fighters, in Japan's professional baseball league.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Fukutani left the Chunichi Dragons and joined Nippon-Ham as a free agent.
He appeared in 14 games for the Fighters, recording one win, one loss and two holds.
He appeared in 12 games, recording no wins, one loss and one hold.
The Fighters announced Fukutani's departure.
- Age
- 35
- Fighters tenure
- 2025–2026
- Games for Nippon-Ham
- 26 first-team appearances over two seasons
- 2026 record
- 0 wins, 1 loss, 1 hold; 4.26 ERA
- Previous team
- Chunichi Dragons
3 sources
What people are saying
I have never once regretted coming to the Fighters during these two years.
I can proudly say that choosing the Fighters was the right decision.