SoftBank announced on May 12 that they have acquired catcher Yudai Yamamoto (27) in a trade with DeNA. Team executive Kenji Jojima stated that the move is part of a mid-to-long-term strategy to strengthen the roster, with catcher being a key area of need. The trade underscores SoftBank’s commitment to building a balanced and competitive team for future seasons. Yamamoto, who has shown promise in the NPB, is expected to contribute significantly behind the plate and add depth to the squad.
