The Orix Buffaloes announced on the 26th that they have notified pitcher Kohei Azuma (26) that they will not be renewing his standard player contract for the upcoming season.

He joined the team from Kobe Koryo as the second pick in the 2017 developmental draft. After being promoted to the active roster in July 2022, he achieved an undefeated streak of eight consecutive wins as a starter from his debut.

However, in recent years, he has been plagued by concerns regarding his right elbow, undergoing surgeries in August the year before last and November last year. This year, he has been away from actual competition since his last appearance in a farm league game against the Hanshin Tigers (SGL) on July 18, and in September, he underwent ligament repair surgery combined with an internal brace for a right elbow medial collateral ligament injury.

Currently, he spends his days working hard on rehabilitation based in Maishima, Osaka. In his professional career, he has appeared in 30 games, with 11 wins, 6 losses, and an ERA of 2.70.

It is expected that a developmental contract will be offered for next season. Explaining his current status, he said, 'The range of motion in my elbow is almost at its maximum, and in about a week, I should be able to start throwing lightly straight down. Things are going well so far.' He also shared the words he received: 'They told me that since I've had surgery three years in a row, they want me to heal properly and return to the starting rotation. I really want to pitch in the first team. I'll start with the second team first and work my way up to the first-team level,' he said, aiming for a return to game action next May.