Shohei Otani was quiet on and off the field in what was expected to be his last game in Japan on Monday before being posted to the major leagues this winter.
Otani and the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters, who beat the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 3-1 for their fourth straight win, drew the curtain on a miserable season that will see them finish fifth in the Pacific League after winning the Japan Series last year.
Batting third as the designated hitter, Otani went hitless in four at-bats and declined to discuss his future on this day, saying only, "I do have something of an admiration (for the majors).