Lotte Yuki Karakawa pitcher held a voluntary training session at their home base, ZOZO, on May 5. The second year of the season, Sakai, who also hails from Chiba Prefecture, worked out with catch a ball and other activities.

Last season, he was affected by injuries and other factors, finishing with one win and one loss in two games with ERA 4.00. He is starting afresh in his 19th year with Manager Saburo at the helm. When Manager Saburo was still playing, he would take him out to dinner almost every day, and he feels indebted to him, saying, "It's thanks to Mr. Saburo that I'm still a professional baseball player."

"He's my favorite senior, so I want to lift the coach up in celebration in the fall. I need to perform in a way that will make him needed there. I'm prepared to pitch if I'm called upon in any situation, anywhere, so I want to make sure I'm prepared," he vowed to make a comeback.