Via sports JP Hochi.co… News just came out today that former Major Leaguer, Jonny Gomes (35 years old) will leave the NPB, his team received a request coming from Gomes just this day to be released, and his team granted it… Playing in the NPB Pacific League, with the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles, designated hitter Jonny Gomes is only batting .169/.246/.280 in 18 games played (11 for 65), with a homerun and 7 RBI’s throughout the course in the regular season… Gomes signed a one-year deal with Rakuten in the off-season this year, back in February 22… worth an estimated 200 million Yen with some added incentives included.

A request for his sudden release is not because of his poor offensive showings in Japan, but… it is most likely due to family matters/reasons back home in the United States, as stated via (JP sponichi.co) last month (in April 26), the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles informed the media that Gomes (Jonny) has requested temporary leave, and will head back to the US due to “personal matters”…

With him now gone from the team, Jonny Gomes made a statement to his team’s fans…

“To be able to play in front of the best fans in NPB, cheering at full force and with the amount of energy and passion you gave to us and our team granted me strength and a supportive environment… My season playing in front of you all (Rakuten fans) may be short, but… I am happy, and I thank you from the very bottom of my heart… I hope we’ll see each other someday in the future.”

It is still not yet known whether Jonny Gomes will continue playing Baseball at the moment. But, if he does… it will be there in the US, not overseas.