Lotte's Yuto Kimura will start for the first time since turning pro in the game against Hanshin Tigers on the 17th.

Kimura said through the baseball team, "I am looking forward to it. I've been making adjustments to the game with the hope of doing what I can do well. I'm not going to change anything just because I'm a starter, but I'm going to inning take it one hitter at a time and face my opponents one by one, and I want to do my best closer. I worked hard in high school with one goal in mind, to pitch for Koshien, so I am happy to have the opportunity to join the pros and pitch like this. I will try my best to give my best performance and contribute to the team's win

In his second year as a professional, he made the opening day first team and has pitched in 14 games, 19 2/3 innings, with one win, five hold, and an ERA of 2.75.