Lotte Shuta Takano pitcher (27) opened his training session in Nagasaki Prefecture to the public on August 18.

Teammates Kojima and Hanshin Tigers 's Otake have taken over the "Wada Juku," which was run by former Softbank Hawks player Tsuyoshi Wada until last year. The group has been newly named "Team OK" after the initials of Kojima and Otake, and The Giants' Bando and Softbank Hawks 's Sasaki are also working out together in this voluntary training group.

Takano, who made a career-high 37 appearances last season with 5 wins, 3 losses, 15 hold, and ERA of 1.84, revealed, "After the season ended, I didn't have any pain or problems with my body, so I've continued pitching in the offseason," and took to mound again today, throwing 35 pitches. "I think I can be both a starter and a reliever. Even if (Manager Saburo) asks me 'which', I'm adjusting so that I can go," he said reassuringly.