Orix Buffaloes pitcher Hiroya Miyagi (24) received a "re-initiated crossfire" order from manager Kishida on the 2nd. In 2013, the ace left-hander posted a team-leading 2.39 ERA but finished with 7 wins (3 losses). The manager told him, "The thing you struggled with a bit was probably your crossfire to the right (inside corner hitter)," and asked him to improve the accuracy of the pitch he throws diagonally from the first base side where he comes out as a left-hander.

Last year, he maintained his heaviest weight of 90-91kg, and had strike out rate in the league (9.88). While he has acquired a powerful pitch, manager Kishida also spoke of changes. Previously, his fastball showed a two seam fastball of his arm, and inside balls would land in strike zone at the hands of right-handed hitter. However, in 2013, he felt that "because he'd gotten bigger, he was a bit stiffer, and the range of that change had decreased a little. His crossfire wasn't coming back into strike zone."

Miyagi himself has experienced back problems, so he plans to "reduce the burden a little" and fight through the season at 87kg, conscious of eating only 80% of his body weight. "Naturally, he has to perform as an ace," he said, carrying the expectations of his manager and becoming the perfect pillar of the team. (Nambu Shunta)