Lotte manager Masato Yoshii (58) said on the 17th about pitcher Roki Sasaki (22), who has wanted to challenge the US Major League Baseball ever since he joined the team, ``If I were the one requesting posting, I would say to the team, I sometimes think, ``Maybe I need to repay the favor a little bit more.''But it's my personal baseball career, so I don't think it's my place to criticize what Roki thinks.'' He stated his theory.

The right-hander is participating in the WBC this season as a member of Samurai Japan. They won three consecutive games from the start. However, in the second half of the game, he had to leave the field three times due to a blister on his right middle finger, a muscle tear on his left side, and a fever. During the regular season, he pitched in 15 games and had 7 wins and 4 losses. Although his ERA was 1.78, he was unable to pitch the required number of innings.

For next season, which will be the fifth year of the ``5-year development plan,'' the manager has set a quota of ``six days of pitching and 150 innings.'' Regarding his intentions to become a major player, he said, ``When I joined the team, I heard that he wanted to go to the majors someday.I haven't heard anything about it recently.''

For young players who dream of making it to the home of baseball, he said, "Everyone who is posted this year can do well if they get a contract and are given a chance. Anyone who has been posted this year can do well if they are given a chance. I did well, so anyone can do well. If you have a chance (to go to the majors), I hope you go and do your best.'' He expressed his thoughts.