Orix Buffaloes Seiryu Kotajima pitcher Seiryu Furutajima (26), who underwent right elbow cleaning surgery in September, resumed bullpen pitch on the 21st at the team's facility in Maishima, Osaka. He threw 20 pitches with catcher standing, and already recorded a top speed of 140 km/h. "I've reached a new level. It feels like it's starting. Looking at the data, the quality of my pitches is much better than before the surgery," he said with a satisfied look on his face.

After pitching in just 20 games this season, he has since made minor adjustments to his form, including the position of his glove. "I talk to my nerves and tell them, 'Let's go,'" he said, and has also made it a point to throw hard from the first pitch when playing catch. He has also tried lowering his arm position a little, but added, "(That makes it) less appealing. I want to focus on my fastball." He has reaffirmed that his fastball, which has more power than speed, is his weapon, and has vowed to further improve it.

He plans to have catcher take over in January, and if all goes well, return to action at the Miyazaki training camp in February. Last season, despite being in his first year, he had 24 hold in 50 games ERA of 0.79. "I want to be of help to the team, and I want to pitch in the first team. (Among those) the winning pattern is the best. I'm hungry." He has shown a V-shaped recovery of "championship caliber," and will once again show off his flashy fist pump. (Nambu Shunta)