The Oisix Niigata Albirex Baseball Club has announced a renewed contract agreement with pitcher Kazutomo Iguchi, securing his return to the team for the upcoming season.
【Oisix Niigata Albirex BC】
– Name: Kazutomo Iguchi
– Position: Pitcher
– Date of Birth: January 7, 1994
– Hometown: Kanagawa Prefecture
– Height/Weight: 175cm / 77kg
– Jersey Number: 20
– Throws/Bats: Right / Right
– Career Path: Buko High School → Tokyo University of Agriculture (Okhotsk Campus) → Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2016–2023) → Orix Buffaloes (2024–2025) → Oisix Niigata Albirex BC (2026) → Veracruz Eagles (2026)
Iguchi, who previously played for the club in 2026 before a stint with the Mexican league’s Veracruz Eagles, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to rejoin. “I will never forget the appreciation for being welcomed back into the team. Drawing from my experience in Mexico—no matter how brief—I will do my best to contribute to the team’s success,” he said.
The right-hander brings a wealth of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) experience, having spent eight seasons with the Fighters and Buffaloes before his initial move to Niigata. His return adds depth to the Albirex pitching staff as they aim for a strong push in the 2027 season.