Oisix announced on April 13 that they have reached an agreement to re-sign pitcher Kazutomo Iguchi (32).
Iguchi was released by the Orix Buffaloes last offseason and initially joined Oisix. However, he left the team on March 16, just two days after the start of the farm league season, to move to the Mexican League’s Veracruz Eagles. He was then released by the Eagles in late April and returned to Japan.
Iguchi was drafted by the Nippon-Ham Fighters in the third round of the 2016 NPB Draft out of Tokyo University of Agriculture (Okhotsk Campus). He later played for Orix in the 2024-2025 seasons. In his NPB career, he has made 254 appearances, recording a 7-7 record with 3 saves and a 3.66 ERA.
“I will not forget my gratitude for being welcomed back into the team,” Iguchi said in a statement. “I will do my best to contribute using the experience I gained in Mexico, even though it was limited.”
The move is highly unusual, as Iguchi’s departure came just two days into the season, making his rapid re-entry a rare occurrence in Japanese baseball.