Orix Buffaloes announced that they have re-signed pitcher Hitomi Honda as a development player. This is his eighth year as a professional, but he has not pitched in the first team this season, with one win in 13 games in Western League and ERA of 6.92. In September, he underwent right elbow cleaning surgery and right elbow ulnar nerve avulsion surgery, and in October he was notified that he would not be signed to a controlled contract for next season. number will change from 46 to 123.

Hitoshi Honda negotiated his contract at the team's facility in Maishima, Osaka, and signed for 20 million yen, a decrease of 6 million yen. I couldn't pitch once this year, and before that, I couldn't pitch at all in the farm system. I was injured more than anything else this year," he said. He said his rehabilitation progress was "pretty good," and that he had already catch increased the distance of his ball to about 35 meters.

In a total of 96 games, he has 6 wins, 6 losses, 2 saves, 30 hold, and ERA 4.66. As a right-handed relief pitcher, he recorded 14 hold in 42 games, his highest number of games played, in 2022, contributing to the team's consecutive league championships. Next season will be a crucial year. "Among the relief pitchers, players younger than me (in age) are doing well, and players of my generation are also doing well. I definitely want to keep up with them," he said enthusiastically.