The Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) made the decisive move to notify four players embroiled in the “zombie cigarette” scandal of their release. Among them is a former batting champion who represented the national team, shocking Japanese baseball.

According to local media including Japan’s Daily Sports, Hiroshima announced on the 1st that it had released infielders Gaito Kojono, Masaya Yano and Seita Maekawa, and outfielder Shunsuke Tamura. They are all young position players in their 20s.

The “zombie cigarette” controversy ultimately tripped them up. In December last year, Ryutaro Hatsuki of Hiroshima was arrested and indicted on charges of using the drug etomidate, known as a “zombie cigarette,” and was sentenced to one year in prison with a three-year suspended sentence. Afterwards, the controversy grew when someone claimed on social media, “Including me, six Hiroshima players bought zombie cigarettes from the same person.”

A media outlet later released a photo showing the alleged seller with active players, which intensified the controversy. The Hiroshima club raised concerns about Yano in particular after a photo was published showing him in a hotel room with others, saying “the mere fact they were together in a closed room raises serious doubts,” and on the 17th of the same month removed him from the roster of eligible players.

On July 30, Hiroshima announced that Yano and Maekawa had their homes searched by the Hiroshima prefectural police. Maekawa was removed from the roster of eligible players that day, and neither player returned to the first team thereafter. On Sept. 27 it became known that Yano and Maekawa had been forwarded to prosecutors by the Hiroshima prefectural police.

Yano joined as the sixth pick in the 2020 draft and, prized for a strong arm and wide defensive range, won the golden glove at shortstop in 2024. He was selected for the Japanese national team in March 2025, but his performance declined and this season he slumped to a .167 batting average, one home run and five RBIs in 44 games.

After being notified of his release, Yano apologized, saying, “I am sorry for causing trouble and worry to the fans and club officials with my thoughtless actions,” and expressed his desire to continue playing, saying, “I still want to keep playing baseball, and because I want to remain active, for now I will train hard and prepare properly.”

Kojono was a highly touted prospect who entered the pros as the top pick in the 2018 draft after being selected by four clubs. From his first year he appeared in 58 first-team games, and in 2025 he captured his first title as batting champion. In March he was also selected for Japan’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) team.

But this season he struggled both offensively and defensively. In August he was demoted to the second team during the season for the first time in three years and then played in the minors. In the first team he appeared in 101 games, hitting .257 with one home run and 23 RBIs.

According to local media, after being notified of his release Kojono said, “I was told I am not trustworthy,” and “I thought this might happen.” Asked about future plans, he said, “I am not thinking about that at all.” He expressed gratitude toward the club, saying, “I only have feelings of thanks,” and to the fans, “Thank you for your support.”

[OSEN]

※ This article has been translated by AI. Share your feedback here.