On the 5th, Orix Buffaloes Kendai Moto outfielder Kenta Moto (23) vowed to make a "full recovery" using the unprecedented salary increase he received as motivation. He was re-signed to a development contract while undergoing rehabilitation from right subclavian vein thrombosis, which he was diagnosed with in September, but he signed with Maishima, Osaka, for an annual salary of 10 million yen, an increase of 3 million yen. "It's rare to get a raise at a time when you've been demoted to development. I want to repay the kindness of the team," he said, expressing his gratitude and reflecting on the "life-threatening situation" he faced.
In his fifth season, he played in a career-high 31 games, mainly as defense replacement. Even after being removed from the active roster on July 29th, he continued to perform well in the farm team, but one day he felt pain near his right collarbone. He went to an orthopedic surgeon, wondering if it was a pulled pectoral muscle, and was found to have a blood clot. He was immediately taken to medical school by ambulance.
The condition occurs when blood flow in the veins, which return blood from organs throughout the body to the heart, becomes stagnant. It was later discovered that if the blood clot had reached the heart, it could have been life-threatening. "I wondered if I was really going to die...I was also worried if I would ever be able to baseball again." Still, he felt "really lucky" and was grateful for the life he had, and began rehabilitation. After his stay in the hospital, he gradually increased the intensity of his exercise while taking medication.
He recovered at a speed that even surprised the doctors, and has now resumed batting practice. "It's only natural that I'll return to the regular lineup. There's a lot of competition for outfield, but I have to become a regular," he said, setting a high goal for himself. "Because there are few examples (in baseball world), I can show that 'you can start over'. I want people to see me and think positively." He also sees his role as a positive presence for people in the same situation. He intends to return to the field as soon as possible and run around freely. (Nambu Shunta)
Related News
・ [Detailed data] Kendai Moto 's alma mater, etc.
・ [Orix Buffaloes] "I'll show you I can do it again" Kendai Moto to return from right subclavian vein thrombosis
・ Despite missing the entire last season due to right elbow surgery, former baseball players praise Ori's super talent, saying, "His pitches are brutal. This is amazing."
・ [Orix Buffaloes] 2025 Salary List
・ [Photo] Hiroya Miyagi 's younger sister, Yayoi, shows off her kind-looking parents
