Orix... Taisuke Yamaoka pitcher joined the team at the team's facility in Maishima, Osaka on March 21. Due to the online casino use, he refrained from activities until the 12th of this month. The team was allowed to resume their activities on the 13th, and this was the first time they gave an interview since the revelations.
He began by bowing his head and saying, "I truly apologize for causing concern and inconvenience to my fans, teammates, and so many others. I deeply regret having betrayed the trust of so many people who supported me. From now on, I would like to completely change my attitude toward baseball and give it my all."
During the self-restraint period, he reflected, "I received a lot of contact from teammates and other people, and I felt frustrated and sorry that I couldn't baseball." Regarding the fact that only Yamaoka's real name was made public among those who used the service, he explained, "Rather than having anything to do with other players, I regretted my own actions and talked with the team about them, and that's the result (publicizing my real name)."
On the 12th, when the team announced the resumption of activities, General Manager Obama said, "I have been deeply regretful. First, I will resume individual training, and then I will join the team. I hope to be back (with the team) around the 21st," so it looks like he will be returning as planned. Yamaoka emphasized, "Since I resumed training, I have been working out every day, so I hope to improve (my condition) little by little from now on."
Addressing his fans, he commented, "It's been about a month since I've been able to show them myself playing baseball, so from now on I'd like to work hard to be able to show them pitching a lot."
This season, the right-handed pitcher who was the first pick in the 2016 draft has been working on his relief pitching. He wants to make up for it in baseball at all costs.
Related News
・ [Orix] The fourth-year right-hander was selected for the opening rotation for the first time. He gave up two runs in the sixth inning against DeNA, and will face Lotte on April 3 in the sixth game of the season.
・ [Orix] Yuki Udagawa begins rehabilitation: "I want to work hard with determination so that I can be glad that I had the surgery" - aiming to pitch at full potential in a year
・ [Orix] The batting line-up is weak, but they have lost five exhibition games in a row... Ren Mukunoki is on track to be included in the opening rotation
・ [Orix] Excited about former teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto! Hiroya Miyagi "He's the same as always, but he's great"
・ [Orix] Kosei Yoshida underwent Tommy John surgery on the 7th, reveals his strength and is now "throwing 150 km/h"
