Orix Buffaloes catcher Tomoya Mori (31) announced on the 17th his intention to work through the off-season without any days off. Having undergone surgery on his left wrist on August 26th, he spends every day dedicated to rehabilitation at the team's base in Maishima, Osaka. 'I haven't accumulated much fatigue, and there are still many things I need to do. I took quite a bit of time off this year, so I have to work hard,' he said, expressing his determination for a comeback.

In this fourth season since moving from the Seibu Lions as a free agent, he played 66 games with a batting average of .243, 7 Home Runs, and 24 RBI. Failing to reach the required number of plate appearances for the second consecutive year, he expressed a growing sense of crisis, stating, 'I haven't been able to have a satisfying season.' He has already resumed catch and tee-batting, with a goal of taking full swings by November. He plans to increase the intensity in stages, saying, 'If I become able to swing the bat, I will naturally become able to catch the pitch as well.'

In his 13th professional year, he was limited to 20 games as the starting catcher, but he is originally a key figure in both offense and defense. 'My true profession is a catcher. It is still too early in terms of age to convert to another position. I want to overturn the voices asking, "Are you okay?"' he said with a firm tone. Toward a complete comeback, he will pursue baseball to the fullest. (Shunta Nambu)