[Rakuten Eagles] Kenta Maeda: “Completely useless” His first appearance in Japanese baseball in 3828 days, where he gave up 2 runs in 5 innings, stood out against the “16/83” and “39/83” rankings.
Sports Hochi
March 31, 2026 18:24
◆ Pacific League Rakuten Eagles vs. Softbank Hawks (31st, Rakuten Eagles Mobile)
Rakuten Eagles Kenta Maeda pitcher (37) started the home opener against on October 31. He went up for the first time in 3828 days in Japanese baseball since October 7, 2003, when he was with Hiroshima (Mazda) and gave up 5 2 in 4 0/3 innings, giving up 5 and requiring 83 pitches. Softbank Hawks mound Chunichi hit runs Walk
After being taken out of the game, he reflected regretfully, “It wasn’t good. I threw too many pitches and walked too Walk, it was completely unacceptable. I want to make adjustments for next time.” A win would have been his first in Japan in 3833 days, since the game against the Chunichi Dragons on October 2nd of the same year (at Mazda Stadium), but that will have to wait until next time.
It had been raining in Sendai since the morning that day, but it was stopped at the start of the game at 4:01 p.m. The first time was a three-way retirement. In the second inning, he allowed a left-handed hit to the leadoff No. 4 Yanagida and carried the runner for the first time. Yamakawa was Walk and Kurihara was hit by a right-handed hit and was bases loaded uninsured. However, I persevered. No. 7, Nomura’s three straights flew in front of fielder, and third base runner Yanagida couldn’t return. Lucky double play with 2 outs, 1st and 2nd base, Umino was slashed with a swing struck out and did not score.
The third inning immediately after receiving one run of support. From the first out, Shuto hit in the middle, Kondo Walk to first and second base, and again carried runner in scoring position. No. 3 Yanagimachi made two deaths with a struck out swing, but Yanagida, who is also of the 88th generation, caught a 147 km fastball and was considered a timely hit to the right.
In the 4th inning, from bases loaded with one out, he presented the winning left sacrifice fly to Shuto. Here, he became the seventh person in history to reach 2500 innings pitched in Japan-U.S., but it was a frustrating moment to achieve the record. He continued to pitch in the 5th inning, but left the mound with a fastball Walk to Yanagimachi in the lead.
The right-handed pitcher, who has 165 career wins in Japan and the US and played in the majors until last season, struggled with control on this day, strike 44 strikes and 39 balls out of 83 pitches, for strike rate of approximately 53%. He also seemed to be bothered by the different mound compared to the US. Furthermore, he threw only 16 fastballs that day, relying mainly on off-breaking ball pitch such as slider and change-up.
◆ Kenta Maeda: Born April 11, 1988, in Osaka Prefecture. Age 37. Played in Koshien in his first year (summer) and third year (spring) while attending PL Gakuen High School. Drafted in the first round of the 2006 high school draft by the Hiroshima Carp. Moved to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2015 offseason. Played in MLB until last season. Represented Japan in the 2013 WBC and the 2015 Premier12. Two-time Sawamura Award winner, two-time most win ERA strike out three-time Best Nine selection, and five-time Golden Glove Award winner. 185 cm, 83 kg. Right-handed pitcher, right-handed batter. Estimated annual salary this season: 150 million yen.