On the 7th, Orix announced that pitcher Kosei Yoshida underwent reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament of his right elbow (commonly known as Tommy John surgery) and arthroscopic removal of his right olecranon osteophyte at a hospital in Osaka Prefecture. After a few days of hospitalization, he will undergo rehabilitation while monitoring the condition of the affected area.

Last season, in his first year after being traded from Nippon-Ham, he made 50 appearances and recorded his personal best of 4 wins and 14 hold. He suffered a stress fracture in his right elbow towards the end of the season, and was pitch in bullpen during the Miyazaki camp in preparation for his comeback.

However, as his condition did not improve, he withdrew from the team on the 17th of last month, and underwent detailed examinations at a hospital in Osaka Prefecture on the 18th. He was diagnosed with dysfunction of the medial collateral ligament in his right elbow and distal bone fragment avulsion.

On the 20th, he announced on his social media that he would be undergoing Tommy John surgery, which generally takes more than a year to return to. "I was undergoing rehabilitation this offseason, but my body is in the best shape it's ever been, and I was in the best shape I've ever been in when pitching with a closer velocity. I was confident that if my elbow could just heal, I would be able to pitch better than last year, so I'm really sorry to all the fans who gave me so many presents and words of encouragement during camp," he said, while expressing his regret. "I'll get through my rehabilitation and come back stronger than ever," he declared forcefully.

On the same day, Yoshida told Sports Hochi, "I see the potential to grow as a pitcher, and I want to do my best to be able to throw 150 kilograms or more." Udagawa is also scheduled to undergo the same surgery in the coming days, and Yamaoka, who has a proven track record, is also withholding his activities. It will be a painful departure for him and the team, but he will return to mound with a slightly larger appearance.