Nippon Professional Baseball released the list of 2016 free agents on Thursday afternoon, with outfielder Yoshio Itoi highlighting a group of six players.
Itoi, who spent the last four seasons with the Orix Buffaloes, is one of four domestic free agents, joining outfielder Daikan Yoh (Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters), relief pitcher Masahiko Morifuku (Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks) and pitcher Shun Yamaguchi (Yokohama BayStars).
Pitcher Takayuki Kishi and outfielder Takumi Kuriyama, both of the Seibu Lions, are eligible for international free agency. Kuriyama, 33, has said he'd like to finish his playing days with Seibu, where he's spent the entirety of his 13-year career. Kishi, 31, the Lions' ace for the past few seasons, has drawn interest from a number of NPB clubs. Kishi was 9-7 with a 2.49 ERA in 2016.