Orix Buffaloes has announced that it has re-signed Reiji Higashiyama pitcher as a developmental player. The right-hander was the 5th overall pick in last year's draft from ENEOS and was expected to be an immediate starter. He had not pitched since March 8, The Giants against Kyocera D. due to right elbow problems, and underwent right elbow medial collateral ligament reconstruction surgery (commonly known as Tommy John surgery) in May.
He finished the season without making an appearance in either the first or second division, and in October he was informed that he would not be signing a contract for next season. number will change from 45 to 129.
Higashiyama negotiated his contract at the team's facility in Maishima, Osaka, and signed for a salary of 7 million yen per year, a decrease of 1 million yen (estimated amount). After a season in which he silently devoted himself to rehabilitation, he expressed his renewed resolve, saying, "The thing that's most frustrating is that this season has left me with a strong sense of regret and regret. I think it's a season that's really made me think about myself, but I want to make this a year that I can say I was able to perform well because of this past year." Considering the condition of his right elbow, he envisioned "firstly, I'll start by joining bullpen from the (Miyazaki) camp. From there, I'd like to be able to return to action around the end of May or June."
A right-handed pitcher with an appealing fastball that can reach speeds of over 150 km/h, he vowed to make a comeback, saying, "My goal is to get back under control. I want to be reliever pitcher, so I hope to recover from my injury and become a part of the winning lineup, a closer, or a position that the team needs."
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・ [Orix Buffaloes] Atsuya Kogita will return without a trip home and with no days off... On the 5th, he will undergo surgery to remove bone chips from his right elbow. He will restart his training program and "will stay in Osaka and practice."
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Draft No. 5 right-hander undergoes Tommy John surgery... Yuito Mae is also scheduled for the same surgery, making him the fifth player on the team this season.
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Reiji Higashiyama and Yuito Mae underwent Tommy John surgery on their right elbows... They are the fifth players on the team this season to undergo surgery, following Kosei Yoshida, Yuki Udagawa, and Atsuya Kogita
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Yuki Udagawa, Atsuya Kogita, Reiji Higashiyama, and Kosei Osato have been released from the team... All of them will likely be offered development contracts.
・ [Orix Buffaloes] Hitomi Honda to sign development contract for 6 million yen less, undergoing right elbow cleaning surgery in September "so I don't lose to younger players and players of my generation"
