Chunichi Dragons

Hitoki Iwase's goal next season is to stay healthy and be the team's closer throughout the entire season.  By doing so, he also hopes to tie or break Kazuhiro Sasaki's record for saves by a Japanese pitcher (NPB+MLB).  Iwase is currently sitting on 346 saves and needs just 35 to tie the record.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/31/2012, Sponichi 12/31/2012

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Takehiro Donoue plans to compete for the starting job in right, but also wants to prepare himself at first to increase his chances.   Source: Nikkan Sports 12/31/2012

Yakult Swallows

Yoshinori Sato will move out of the player dorm and begin living on his own this winter.  Concerned about what he will do for food, he plans to attend a cooking class taught by the player dorm nutritionist.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/31/2012, Sanspo 12/31/2012, Sponichi 12/31/2012

Hanshin Tigers

Minoru Iwata is trying to improve his range of motion by cutting back on weights and going for a swim three to four times a week.

"I swim a few kilometers a day.  I am trying to increase the range of motion in my shoulders.  Also improve my cardio and burn away the fat.  I am around ninety-three kilograms now.  I would like to get that down to about eighty-seven or eighty-eight," said Iwata.

Source: Nikkan Sports 12/31/2012

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Yuya Ando failed his Sanspo Tigers' Promise (collect more hits than Atsushi Nomi) and prepared an autographed bat to give away to Sanspo readers.  Source: Sanspo 12/31/2012

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Koshien groundskeepers are prepared to field requests from Kosuke Fukudome regarding the conditions of the field, particularly the length of the grass.  Source: Sanspo 12/31/2012

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Tomoaki Kanemoto is scheduled to give a special lecture at his alma mater, Koryo High School, in May 2013.  Source: Sanspo 12/31/2012

Hiroshima Carp

Batting coach Hiromasa Arai could assist Ichiro Suzuki with his workouts next month (batting practice pitcher, among other things).  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/31/2012

Yokohama Bay Stars

GM Shigeru Takada would like Yota Kosugi to set his sights on winning a spot in the starting rotation.  Source: Nikkan Sports 12/31/2012

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The Bay Stars do not intend to extend Takao Kaji's contract as team chairman.  2012 will be his last year.  Source: Sponichi 12/31/2012