It has been decided that Seibu Lions pitcher Chihiro Sumida will skip his appearance in the first stage of the Climax Series (CS). Manager Nishiguchi revealed this after the team's general practice on the 9th.

On September 28th, during a game against the Rakuten Eagles (Belluna Dome), a batted ball struck his left forearm. After waiting for the internal bleeding and swelling to subside, he practiced catch at a distance of about 40 meters on the 4th, and entered the bullpen for the first time since the injury on the 8th.

On this day, he performed bullpen pitches for the second consecutive day. Manager Nishiguchi explained, "Only Sumida knows (his condition)." In response to a question from the press about whether he would not pitch until the CS Final Stage, he stated clearly, "That is correct." For the second game of the first stage, pitcher Kona Takahashi, whom the manager expects to deliver "a pitch that leads to victory, that is all," is expected to take the mound.

Sumida has appeared in 24 games this season, recording 10 wins, 8 losses, and an ERA of 2.27.