Sports · Baseball · 3 hrs ago
Nippon-Ham releases three players, including 21-year-old Riosuke Akise
The Nippon-Ham Fighters will not renew three players’ contracts for next season, the Japanese baseball team announced on Oct.
19.
The players are pitcher Koki Matsuoka, catcher Yuki Umebayashi and 21-year-old infielder Riosuke Akise.
Akise, a third-year professional who joined the team from high school, played 68 games in the farm league this season, batting .257 with eight home runs.
He has not yet played in a first-team game, though his farm-league results drew attention from fans.
Akise said he currently hopes to continue his playing career and will discuss his options, including taking part in a tryout.
He said the team had told him it would support him whatever path he chooses.
Nippon-Ham announced that it will not offer contracts for next season to three players: pitcher Koki Matsuoka, catcher Yuki Umebayashi and infielder Riosuke Akise.
Akise, 21, was in his third year after graduating from high school and had played 68 games in the farm league this season.
He recorded a .257 batting average and hit eight home runs, prompting surprise among fans on social media.
Akise said he currently intends to continue playing and will consider his options, including a tryout.
The club told him it would support him whatever path he takes.
- Who
- Nippon-Ham and three players: Koki Matsuoka, Yuki Umebayashi and Riosuke Akise.
- What
- The club notified the players that it would not offer them contracts for next season.
- When
- October 19, 2026.
- Where
- The notification to Akise was delivered at the club’s facilities in Kamagaya, Chiba.
- Why
- Not stated.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Akise said he had several discussions with the club about his future.
Nippon-Ham announced it would not offer next-season contracts to three players.
Akise said he currently intends to continue playing and will consider options including a tryout.
- Players notified
- Koki Matsuoka, Yuki Umebayashi and Riosuke Akise
- Akise’s age
- 21
- Akise’s farm-league appearances
- 68 games
- Akise’s batting average
- .257
- Akise’s home runs
- 8
3 sources
What people are saying
For now, I intend to continue playing, while consulting with various people.
The club told me, “We support you whatever direction you take from here.