DeNA BayStars shortstop Yamato Maeda revealed Friday he has had chronic kidney disease since he was a child.
"I think I can give courage and hope to children with the same disease only while I'm active," said the 35-year-old, who played his 17th year in Nippon Professional Baseball. "I don't know how long I can continue my playing career."
Maeda has had symptoms from an early age, but the disease was identified only recently.
"Generally, doctors tell CKD patients not to play sports, but I want to continue as long as I think it's possible," Maeda said.
He re-signed with the Central League club the same day for an annual salary of an estimated 80 million yen ($600,000), down 10 million yen from a year earlier.
Maeda batted .247 with one home run and 18 RBIs in 91 games this year.
