Softbank Hawks On March 16, manager Hiroki Kokubo visited Tama Home Stadium Chikugo in Chikugo, Fukuoka, and gave a "slow and steady" directive to the rehabilitated Akira Nakamura outfielder.
Manager Kokubo inspected the rookie joint voluntary training and gave a speech before practice. As the rookies were warming up, he was seen talking with Nakamura, who is currently undergoing rehabilitation following surgery for a herniated lumbar disc last November. Yamakawa, Yanagida and the other members of the S-team are scheduled to join the team from the fourth training session on February 14th, but Kokubo said Nakamura "wouldn't like you to move forward until you're ready (on the 14th)," and did not set a timeline for his return. "I told him there's no need to rush. If he's healthy, there's 100% no doubt he'll be on the opening day bench," he said, urging him to take his time to adjust, and waiting for him to return when he's fully recovered.
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