Hiroshima Carp Release Makoto Kemna: “I Spent Nine Meaningful Years Here” — Former Reliever Made 40-Plus Appearances for Three Straight Seasons

The Hiroshima Toyo Carp informed pitcher Makoto Kemna and five other players on October 24 that they would not be offered contracts for the 2027 season.

Kemna joined Hiroshima as a third-round pick in the 2017 NPB Draft. He established himself as a reliable reliever, recording at least 40 appearances in three consecutive seasons from 2020 through 2022.

Injuries have troubled him in recent years, however, and he had not made a first-team appearance since May 2024.

“I hadn’t pitched for the first team in two years, so I had a feeling that a call like this might come. But when I was actually told, my mind went completely blank,” Kemna said.

Nine Meaningful Years with His Hometown Team

Kemna was born in Nichinan, Miyazaki Prefecture, the city where Hiroshima holds its spring training camp. Growing up as a Carp fan, he was delighted to have the opportunity to play for the team he had supported.

“I grew up in Nichinan and was a Carp fan, so I was happy that things worked out and I got the chance to join the team. I spent nine meaningful years here. I wasn’t able to achieve the results I had envisioned, but I’m satisfied,” he reflected.

Hoping to Continue His Career Elsewhere

Kemna wants to continue playing professional baseball. Although Hiroshima offered him the possibility of remaining with the organization, he expressed a desire to pursue an opportunity with another team.

“The Carp did ask whether I wanted to stay, but if the opportunity comes along, I want to continue playing baseball with another team. I want to wear another team’s uniform and come back to Mazda Stadium.”

For Kemna, the next chapter would offer a chance to return to the stadium where he spent nine years—not as a member of the Carp, but as an opponent.