A 30-year-old pitcher, Yasuaki Yamazaki, who played a key role in professional baseball and DeNA this season, has signed a five-year long-term contract with the team, according to interviews with officials.
Pitcher Yamazaki has shown his willingness to challenge the major leagues since the off-season in the first year of Reiwa. He announced that he would remain at the team's event at the stadium.
According to sources, the team has agreed to offer the 30-year-old pitcher Yamazaki a five-year long-term contract.
Pitcher Yamazaki had been reassigned from a suppressor to a middleman for the past two years due to poor health, but in August of this eighth season, he became the youngest player in professional baseball history at the age of 29 years and 10 months to make a total of 200 saves. With 37 saves tied for third place in the league and an ERA of 1.33, he contributed greatly to the team that advanced from last season to second place.
It is a long-term contract for DeNA players to sign a contract in 5 years, following Toshiro Miyazaki who signed a contract for 6 years last year.