Hiroshima Carp Release Haruki Hidaka: “There Was Pressure Being Seen as Ryoma’s Replacement”
October 24, 2026
The Hiroshima Toyo Carp informed 21-year-old pitcher Haruki Hidaka on October 24 that he would not be offered a contract for next season. Originally drafted by the Orix Buffaloes, Hidaka joined Hiroshima in January 2024 as compensation for Ryoma Nishikawa’s free-agent move to Orix. He admitted that the expectation of replacing Nishikawa brought pressure, and although he had viewed his third professional season as a crucial opportunity, he made no first-team appearances and pitched in just 11 farm-team games. Hidaka says he hopes to continue his playing career if another team offers him an opportunity.
The Hiroshima Toyo Carp informed pitcher Haruki Hidaka, 21, on October 24 that he would not be offered a contract for the 2027 season.
Hidaka was selected by the Orix Buffaloes in the fifth round of the 2022 NPB Draft. In January 2024, he joined Hiroshima as player compensation following Ryoma Nishikawa’s move to Orix through free agency.
Reflecting on his arrival in Hiroshima, Hidaka admitted that the circumstances surrounding the transfer weighed on him from the beginning.
“There was pressure because I was seen as Ryoma-san’s replacement,” he said.
Hidaka had viewed his third professional season, in 2026, as a decisive year in which he needed to prove himself. However, he failed to make a single first-team appearance and pitched in only 11 games for the farm team.
Asked about his future, Hidaka acknowledged that he had not yet had time to process the news.
“I haven’t thought about anything yet,” he said.
Nevertheless, he made clear that he wanted to continue playing for as long as he could.
“If a team is willing to give me an opportunity, I want to keep playing as long as my body allows me to.”