Kenta Maeda of the Rakuten Eagles plays catch during a training session in Kin, Okinawa Prefecture, on Jan. 31, 2026. (Kyodo)
KIN, Okinawa (Kyodo) — Preparing for his first Nippon Professional Baseball campaign in more than a decade, right-hander Kenta Maeda said Saturday he was still finding his feet as a member of the Rakuten Eagles.
The former Hiroshima Carp standout returned to Japan with the Sendai-based Eagles this offseason following a 10-year Major League Baseball career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers.
While he will wear the No. 18 for Rakuten, traditionally denoting ace pitcher status in Japanese baseball, Maeda said his chief goal for preseason camp in Okinawa was simply fitting in as part of the team.
The 37-year-old appeared at ease during a voluntary practice session, playing catch and cheerfully chatting with other players.
“It still feels a little strange being called Rakuten’s Kenta Maeda, but I want to fit in so that it no longer feels odd,” he said.
Maeda, a two-time winner of the Eiji Sawamura Award for Japan’s top starting pitcher with the Carp, confirmed he was scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday.
“I normally would not throw this early, but I hope to get off to a good start with this new team and in this new environment,” he said.
AloJapan.com