Shota Suzuki wins first career relief pitcher title

Chiba Lotte Marines pitcher Shota Suzuki has secured his first professional individual title as the best relief pitcher. In his sixth professional season, Suzuki primarily managed the eighth inning in winning games, accumulating holds and wins throughout the season.

Suzuki reached a season-high of 30 hold points following a strong performance in late August and September, including a stretch of three consecutive appearances. He officially clinched the title on October 2 after a scoreless inning against SoftBank. Suzuki attributed his success to consistent daily effort and expressed his desire to win a league championship alongside individual accolades in the future.