Ryutaro Hatsuki, a 25-year-old infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp, has been arrested on suspicion of using etomidate, a designated drug known as the 'zombie cigarette.' Hatsuki denies the allegation, claiming he has no memory of using it. The team issued an apology and pledged full cooperation with authorities.
An infielder for Japan's Hiroshima Toyo Carp professional baseball team has been arrested on suspicion of using etomidate, a controlled substance also called the 'zombie cigarette.' Ryutaro Hatsuki, 25, was taken into custody on Tuesday based on an arrest warrant accusing him of ingesting a small amount of the drug, according to Hiroshima Prefectural Police sources.
A person connected to Hatsuki reported him to authorities on December 16, prompting him to voluntarily appear at the police station. His urine sample tested positive for drugs, later confirmed as etomidate. Hatsuki denies the charges, stating he has no recollection of using it.
Etomidate, used as an anesthetic in overseas medical settings and sometimes referred to as laughing gas, was added to Japan's list of designated drugs in May of the previous year. Hatsuki joined the Carp as the seventh-round draft pick in 2019 and appeared in 74 games last season, stealing 17 bases.
On Wednesday, the team released a statement expressing regret for the concern and inconvenience caused by the incident. It committed to fully cooperating with investigators and implementing measures to prevent recurrence. The case highlights ongoing challenges with drug use in professional baseball.