As the season enters its final stages, news of players deciding to retire is being reported daily in professional baseball. This time, we introduce the Pacific League players who have decided to take off their jerseys at the end of 2026.

※Information as of September 30, 2026

List of players who have announced their retirement at the end of the 2026 season

Player Name / Date of Retirement Announcement / Date of Retirement Match

Takumi Kuriyama (Seibu) / November 24 (2025) / August 30
Akira Nakamura (SoftBank) / July 3 / September 27
Katsuya Kakunaka (Lotte) / July 20 / October 2
Yoshihisa Hirano pitcher (Orix) / August 9 / September 25
Yuki Karakawa pitcher (Lotte) / September 4 / October 3
Takuya Nakashima (Nippon-Ham) / September 11 / September 22
Wataru Karashima pitcher (Rakuten) / September 23 / October 3
Nobuyoshi Yamada pitcher (Orix) / September 24 / September 26
Masahiro Nishino pitcher (Orix) / September 24 / September 26

"Mr. Leo" Takumi Kuriyama, who walked through his "final season" together with the fans.

▼Takumi Kuriyama outfielder▼
Born September 3, 1983 / From Hyogo Prefecture
177cm, 85kg / right-handed pitcher left-handed hitter

【Career】
2001 Draft 4th Pick / Saitama Seibu Lions (2002-2026) 25 years total
【Career Stats】
2323 Games 7765 At Bat 2152 hit 128 Home Run 914 RBI 102 sacrifice bunt 85 stolen base, Batting Average .277 On-Base Percentage .366 OPS .753

The legend Takumi Kuriyama, who achieved 2,000 career hits as a homegrown player, announced in the 2025 off-season that 2026 would be his "final season." The club's first individual official fan club, "TEAM PR1DE," was also launched, and he walked through his final season together with the fans.

In his retirement game held on August 30, a matchup with former teammate Rakuten Eagles Takayuki Kishi pitcher was realized. In front of a packed stadium, he hit a hit to center fielder in his fourth at-bat, the last of his active career. At the retirement ceremony, he declared, "I am, and will always be, The Lions' Kuriyama." "Mr. Leo," who loved the fans and was loved by the fans, brought the curtain down on his 25-year active career.

19 years dedicated to Fukuoka Softbank. The veteran "Lefty Sniper," Akira Nakamura.

▼Akira Nakamura infielder▼
Born November 5, 1989 / From Saitama Prefecture
175cm・81kg / left-handed pitcher left-handed hitter

【Career】
2007 High School Draft 3rd Pick / Fukuoka Softbank (2008–2026) 19 years total
【Career Stats】
1662 Games 5563 At Bat 1522 hit 69 Home Run 556 RBI 82 sacrifice bunt 44 stolen base, Batting Average .274 On-Base Percentage .358 OPS .716

​Akira Nakamura supported the team's golden era, including four consecutive Japan Series championships starting in 2017. He won the Most Hits award in 2014 and received the Mitsui Golden Glove Award as a first baseman for four consecutive years from 2020 to 2023, showing brilliance in both offense and defense.

He played the full game in his retirement match, recording a doble to right-center in his first at-bat. In his final at-bat, he faced Orix Buffaloes pitcher Sho Iwasaki, who was drafted in the same year. Although the result was a catcher's pop fly, the two approached each other and embraced after the at-bat. It was a special moment for the two, who spent 14 of their 19 professional years as teammates.

Katsuya Kakunaka captivated fans with his outstanding bat control.

▼outfielder Katsuya Kakunaka▼
Born May 25, 1987 / From Ishikawa Prefecture
180cm, 85kg / right-handed pitcher left-handed hitter

【Career】
2006 Draft 7th Pick / Chiba Lotte Marines (2007–2026) 20 years total
【Career Stats】
1513 games 4812 At Bat 1345 hit 70 Home Run 564 RBI 46 sacrifice bunt 67 stolen base, Batting Average .280 On-Base Percentage .361 OPS .754

From the independent league to NPB. In 2012, he became the first player from an independent league to win the batting title and Best Nine award, and in 2016, he again secured the batting title, Best Nine, and the title for most hit. He has led the team with his outstanding bat control, often referred to as "eccentric hitting."

In his later years, he faced many seasons plagued by injuries, but in 2023, he demonstrated his clutch performance by hitting a walk-off come-from-behind 2-run Home Run that won the "SKY PerfecTV! Dramatic walk-off Award" annual grand prize. For his retirement game on October 2nd, fans will create a path of honor for Katsuya Kakunaka, who said, "I was honestly happy that the fans called out for me," using big-sized "face" boards and the cheers of a capacity crowd.

Achieved 250 saves as the fourth person in history. Yoshihisa Hirano, who played dynamically in both Japan and the United States.

▼Yoshihisa Hirano pitcher▼
Born March 8, 1984 / From Kyoto Prefecture
186cm, 90kg / right-handed pitcher right-handed hitter

[Career]
2005 Draft Hopeful Slot / Orix Buffaloes (2006–2017), Arizona Diamondbacks (2018–2019), Seattle Mariners (2020), Orix Buffaloes (2021–2026) 21 years total in Japan and the US, 18 years total in NPB

[NPB Career Stats]
703 games, 56 wins, 78 losses, 250 saves, 157 holds, 1001 strike outs, ERA 2.98, WHIP 1.15

Joined the Orix Buffaloes in 2006. In 2011, he recorded 49 HP and won his first title as the Best Reliever. He served as the closer from 2013, and moved to MLB via international free agency after the 2017 season. He appeared in 150 games as a reliever. After returning to the Orix Buffaloes in 2021, he continued to pitch effectively, and in 2023, he became the fourth player in history to achieve a combined 250 saves in Japan and the US.

This season, he was appointed as a player-coach, contributing to the team as an instructor as well. In his retirement game on September 25, he was sent off by many teammates and took the mound in the top of the 9th inning. He struck out Akira Nakamura swinging to conclude his active career.

Yuki Karakawa, born in Chiba Prefecture. 19 years of loving and being loved by his hometown.

▼Yuki Karakawa pitcher▼
Born July 5, 1989 / From Chiba Prefecture
181cm, 90kg / right-handed pitcher, right-handed hitter

[Career]
2007 High School Draft 1st Pick / Chiba Lotte Marines (2008-2026) 19 years total

[NPB Career Stats]
350 games, 82 wins, 78 losses, 64 holds, 861 strike outs, ERA 3.71, WHIP 1.28

Attracting attention even before the draft as one of the high school "Big 3," he joined his local team, the Chiba Lotte Marines, as the first-round high school draft pick. He was active as a starter from his first year and recorded a career-high 12 wins in 2011. From 2018 onwards, he moved his main role to the reliever, and in 2020, he supported the team with outstanding stability, posting an ERA of 1.19 in 32 games.

His retirement game will be on October 3rd. On that day, in honor of Karakawa, who is famous among fans for his face not changing since he joined the team, 19 types of retirement commemorative "face" boards will be prepared, featuring designs of his face photos from each year, from his first year in 2008 to his final year of active duty in 2026.

Takuya Nakashima's 2018: The infield defense cornerstone who toyed with pitchers through persistent batting and quick feet.

▼Takuya Nakashima infielder▼
Born January 11, 1991 / From Fukuoka Prefecture
178cm, 77kg / right-handed pitcher, left-handed hitter

【Career】
2008 Draft 5th Pick / Hokkaido Nippon-Ham (2009-2026) 18 years total
【Career Stats】
1314 games, 3108 At Bat, 737 hit, 2 Home Run, 181 RBI, 256 sacrifice bunt, 206 stolen base, batting average .237, on-base percentage .311, OPS .577

​Takuya Nakashima has supported the team with his persistent batting, base running utilizing his speed, and solid defense. In 2015, he won the stolen base title and the Best Nine award. In 2016, he played in 143 games as a short stop, contributing to the league championship and becoming number one in Japan.

In the third at-bat of his retirement game, it seemed he would be out on a ground ball to first base, but he used his characteristic speed to beat the throw for a safe call. With an attitude of never giving up until the end, he snatched his final hit. During the ceremony, he performed his final defense as part of a middle infield duo with Kensuke Tanaka, whom he had admired and respected since joining the team. The master's final throw landed in the glove of Haruki Nishikawa, who together led The Fighters to become number one in Japan.

Wataru Karashima, the left-hander who knows the team's first-ever championship in Japan.

▼Wataru Karashima pitcher▼
Born October 18, 1990 / From Fukuoka Prefecture
173cm, 72kg / left-handed pitcher, left-handed hitter

[Career]
2008 Draft 6th Pick / Tohoku Rakuten Eagles (2009-2026) 18 years total

[NPB Career Stats]
210 games, 56 wins, 74 losses, 10 holds, 701 strike outs, ERA 4.01, WHIP 1.34

He played his entire career for the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles, supporting the team primarily as a starter. In 2013, he appeared in 11 games and contributed to the team's first-ever Japan Series title since its founding. In 2019, he pitched in 18 games as a starter and 9 games as a reliever, recording a career-high 9 wins.

After undergoing left elbow surgery in 2021, he focused on starting in 2022, posting 6 wins and 4 losses with a 3.40 ERA in 17 games. However, he struggled to produce desired results thereafter and underwent left elbow surgery again in 2025. Although not tall at 173cm, he was the last Inuwashi warrior who knew the championship glory and contributed to the team for many years. His retirement press conference and final appearance are scheduled for the October 3rd game against the Orix Buffaloes, where he is expected to pitch to only the first hitter.

Nobuyoshi Yamada, who supported the Orix Buffaloes bullpen with his iron arm.

▼Nobuyoshi Yamada pitcher▼
Born September 19, 1991 / From Fukui Prefecture
185cm, 95kg / left-handed pitcher left-handed hitter

【Career】
2009 Draft 3rd Pick / Orix Buffaloes (2010-2026) 17 years total

【NPB Career Stats】
329 appearances 14 wins 24 losses 78 hold 336 strike out, ERA 3.72 WHIP 1.36

A veteran reliever who dedicated his left arm to the Orix Buffaloes. He has occupied a spot in the bullpen with a style of getting batters struck out with sharp pitches delivered from his left arm. In 2018, he was entrusted with roles as a situational lefty and a fire-extinguisher, and in August, he appeared in 18 games in a single month, tying the NPB record. He drew attention as "the man who stood alongside the god Inao." In 2023, when the team achieved three consecutive league championships, he recorded an excellent performance with an ERA of 1.15 in 32 appearances.

In his retirement game on September 26, he took the mound in the 9th inning and faced Hokkaido Nippon-Ham's Yuya Gunji. He threw only fastball and retired the batter on a fly ball to center before leaving the mound. During his retirement speech, he brought a letter containing his thoughts and expressed his gratitude to the fans.

Masahiro Nishino, who walked alongside the rapidly growing team

▼ Masahiro Nishino infielder ▼
Born August 2, 1990 / From Tokyo
167cm, 71kg / right-handed pitcher left-handed hitter

[Career History]
2014 Draft Pick #7 / Orix Buffaloes (2015-2026) Total 12 years
[Career Statistics]
750 games, 2331 At Bat 615 hit 16 Home Run 176 RBI 71 sacrifice bunt, 44 stolen base, batting average .264, on-base percentage .324, OPS .662

In addition to his versatility as infield, his aggressive base running was also appealing. He also shone in clutch situations, such as when he hit 5 At Bat 11 at hit in the 2022 Japan Series. fielder’s choice fielder the team, recorded career highs of 7 Home Run and 35 RBI last year, and expectations were high for his performance this season as well, but he has decided to retire.

During his retirement ceremony, he lightened the mood by saying, "I'll go as far as I can (without looking at my notes)," but when it came time to express his gratitude to his late father, he looked down and choked up. He concluded by saying, "I'm so glad I was able to baseball wearing Orix Buffaloes jersey. Thank you so much for these 12 years."

2026 is a year marked by the retirement of many players who have captivated fans for years. We look forward to reuniting with them, whether as coaches or in new roles, both inside and outside the stadium.