Rakuten releases 6 players including pitcher Watanabe for 2027 season

Rakuten's release of six players—including Watanabe, a pitcher whose performance declined sharply (ERA rising from 2.40 to 10.50 after elbow surgery)—is part of a broader roster restructuring following a last-place finish in 2024. The team has notified 13 players of non-renewal this offseason, affecting roster composition and payroll planning heading into the 2026 season. Across Japan's 12 professional baseball teams, 164 players have received contract notifications in the 2025 offseason, reflecting typical industry turnover.