“More than anything, I want to keep playing at Yokohama Stadium…” DeNA’s starting catcher Yamamoto Yudai shared his emotions following a blockbuster trade that sent him to the SoftBank Hawks. He was in the lineup as the starting catcher for the May 10 game against the Hanshin Tigers. The trade was part of an exchange that sent pitchers Ogata Takato and Inoue Tomoya from SoftBank to DeNA. SoftBank’s Chief Baseball Officer Jojima Kenji commented, “Yamamoto’s playing style is a great fit for our team.” In his first full statement since the deal, Yamamoto expressed gratitude for his time in Yokohama and determination for the new chapter: “I gave everything for DeNA, and I’m truly excited to start fresh with the Hawks.” The trade caught many off guard, with Yamamoto previously seen as a key part of DeNA’s future.
In other news, Hiroshima’s rookie Hirakawa Ren received the JERA Central League Monthly Energy Award for March/April, thanks to a spectacular outfield assist deemed unstoppable. Meanwhile, the Weekly MVP rankings feature two Hiroshima catchers among the top spots, and SoftBank’s Mukunoki Ryo was praised for his daring steal of home plate. The league continues to see intense competition as the season progresses.