Hiroshima Carp Release Taiga Tsuji, Who Hopes to Return Through a Developmental Contract: “I Want to Help the Team Win a Championship Again”

The Hiroshima Toyo Carp announced a second round of releases on October 24, informing six players that they would not be offered contracts for the 2027 season: Makoto Kemna, Tatsuya Matsumoto, Ginji Hasebe, Haruki Hidaka, Takahiro Nakamura, and Taiga Tsuji.

Tsuji made a career-high 36 appearances as a reliever this season. However, after undergoing Tommy John surgery in September, he was informed that the club would not offer him a contract for next season, with a potential return on a developmental contract in mind.

Taiga Tsuji: Interview

On receiving the news

Q: What did the club tell you?

Tsuji: They told me they wouldn’t offer me a contract for next season.

Q: How did you take the news?

Tsuji: I had surgery in September, and that means I won’t be able to pitch next season. I think it’s understandable under the circumstances.

Q: You underwent surgery just as you were getting more opportunities to pitch. How would you describe this season?

Tsuji: The team was very patient with me and kept giving me opportunities. I think that’s how I was able to pitch as much as I did.

Recovery and rehabilitation

Q: It has been about a month since your surgery. How is your recovery progressing?

Tsuji: I think things are gradually progressing well. I want to work hard at rehabilitation throughout next year.

Q: What are your goals for the future?

Tsuji: First, I want to make sure I’m able to pitch properly the following year. I’m not satisfied with my performance this season at all. As an individual goal, I want to get my velocity up to around 160 km/h. I want to start over from scratch and work toward helping the team win a championship again as a reliever.

Q: Do you also feel a desire to live up to the fans’ expectations?

Tsuji: After my surgery, I received a lot of encouraging messages. Those words have really reached me and meant a great deal. I don’t want to disappoint the people who have supported me, so I want to complete a full year of rehabilitation and get back to performing on the first-team stage. I want to recover properly and return.

A Closer Look at His Recovery

Q: Could you tell us more about how your recovery is going?

Tsuji: Things are going well, I think. Since this is my first time going through this, I don’t really know how good my progress is compared with what’s expected. I’ll keep discussing it with the trainers and move forward step by step.

Q: Has the outlook changed much compared with what you expected before surgery?

Tsuji: I think it’s pretty much the same.

Q: When will you be able to start throwing again?

Tsuji: Three months after surgery, I’ll start throwing a lightweight sponge ball. I expect to begin throwing into a net in January next year, and hopefully I’ll be able to play catch by the time spring training begins.

Q: What do you want to focus on during the period before you resume throwing?

Tsuji: I can’t do weight training for my upper body, so I’ll be focusing on my lower body. For now, I want to build up my legs and get so much bigger that my current uniform no longer fits.

Q: Has the surgery made everyday life difficult?

Tsuji: I can’t bend my elbow. Since I eat with my left hand, that part isn’t a problem, but things like shampooing my hair have become difficult because I have to do everything with one hand.