Orix Buffaloes pitcher Shumpeita Yamashita (23) made a "vow for the year of the zodiac" on the 4th. The 161 km/h right-hander, born in 2002, was the first to arrive at the indoor practice facility in Maishima, Osaka, which opened for the season, and pitch bullpen of the new year. "Wins have the biggest impact on the team's win-loss record. I want to win double digits," he said, aiming to surpass his personal best of 9 wins (3 losses) in 2023.

Even during his New Year's holiday visit to Fukuoka, he maintained his four-day work, one-day rest schedule, and returned to Osaka for practice on the 2nd. "I've kept my condition up. I feel good all along," he said, throwing about 10 pitches with catcher standing there. Looking ahead to the Miyazaki training camp in February, he plans to enter bullpen for the entire month. "I want to work on my technique (at camp), so I want to keep the ball in a condition where I can throw. It's important to see how much I can throw in the cold," he said, indicating his plan to increase his output from an early stage.

After 25 years of overcoming back problems during his growing up years, he is now well rounded in mind, technique, and body. He also considers his first regulation innings pitched to be a passing mark, saying, "If I throw normally, I can clear that number. （Shunta Nanbu)