Hiroshima Carp suspends four players including Kaito Kozono due to former player's involvement in drug incident

On the 1st, Hiroshima informed infielder Kaito Kozono (26) that he would not sign a contract for next season. Last season, Kozono won the title of leading batter and highest on-base percentage. This year, he also participated in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) in March, but his registration as a player was canceled on August 18th.

Hiroshima Carp player Yano sent to prosecutors; Zombie tobacco ring charge denied

Infielder Masaya Yano (27), infielder Seita Maekawa (23), and outfielder Shunsuke Tamura (23), who won the Golden Glove Award in 2024, are also unavailable.

Yano and Maekawa were referred to prosecutors by the Hiroshima Prefectural Police over an incident in which a former Hiroshima player used etomidate, a designated drug known as "zombie cigarettes." A photo of Kozono and Tamura with the man who handed over Etomidate to the former player was published in the online version of the weekly photo magazine ``FLASH.''

Kozono, who responded to the interview after meeting with team executives, said, ``I was told that I couldn't be trusted. (I'm not really surprised).'' Yano said, ``I am sorry for causing inconvenience and worry to the fans and team officials with my careless actions.''