[Orix] Ryota Muranishi, Taiki Ono and five other players have been cut from the roster… Ono will participate in a tryout, while Muranishi will retire.
Sports Hochi
2025.10.2(木) 13:00
On the 2nd, Orix announced that it had notified three players under contract, pitcher Hitomi Honda, outfielder Kendai Moto, and outfielder Kodai Sano, as well as two development players, pitcher Ryota Muranishi and pitcher Taiki Ono that they would not be signing player contracts for next year.
Muranishi graduated from Tsuna High School and Kindai University before joining the team as the third pick in the 2019 draft. In 2021, he recorded 1 win, 0 losses, 1 save, 5 hold, and an ERA of 3.75 in 18 games, contributing to the team’s league championship. The following year, in 2022, he recorded 1 win, 1 loss, and 8 hold in 22 games. However, his opportunities to pitch decreased after that, and the team notified him of his release from his contract as a controlled player last offseason.
Starting anew as a development player this season, he went 1-0 with ERA 1.80 in 12 games in the Western League. “I played with the determination to make a difference this year. I feel like I gave it my all. I think it was good that I was able to work hard all year,” he emphasized. His career record is 2-3 with 13 hold and ERA 5.37 in 52 games. “I got along well with all the seniors and juniors, so that’s my best memory. I would like to work in baseball-related field in the future,” he said, indicating his intention to retire from active play.
Ono was released from Hanshin Tigers in 2010, and joined Orix in 2011. In his first year with the team, he played in five games with a 6.00 ERA, and was signed to a development contract the following year in 2012. This season he has one win and one loss ERA 4.91 in 17 games in the Western League. Even so, the power of his fastball, which approaches 160 km/h, remains strong. “I’m still in good health, and I think the past year or two since turning 30 have been the best I’ve ever been in. I’m truly grateful that they’ve been watching me for three years. I want to keep that gratitude in mind and do my best to perform well in the tryouts,” he said enthusiastically.
Sano’s future is undecided, while Honda and Moto are expected to be offered development contracts.
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AloJapan.com