It was learned on the 31st that Orix Buffaloes pitcher Daiki Tajima (30) has decided to stay with the team without exercising the domestic free agent rights he acquired in September. He has informed the club of his intention by this day and will wear the Orix Buffaloes uniform again next season, which will be his 10th year as a professional.

Tajima joined the team as the first-round draft pick in 2017 from JR East. He contributed to the team's three consecutive league championships starting in 2021 and achieved a career-high 9 wins in 2022. Without any major injury-related absences, he cleared 100 innings five times over his nine-year career. This season, he also demonstrated his aptitude as a reliever, repeatedly throwing powerful fastballs approaching 150 km/h. A reliable starting left-hander is a valuable asset. Other teams had been conducting behind-the-scenes investigations in preparation for the possibility of him declaring free agency.

The team evaluated him as a necessary asset and requested that he stay, based on a multi-year contract. Tajima himself expressed his gratitude and attachment when he acquired the rights, saying, 'I am grateful to the successive managers who have used me.' He is serious and dedicated to practice when it comes to baseball. Having reached a turning point in his career path, he will shine once again as a starting pitcher.

Daiki Tajima. Born August 3, 1996, in Utsunomiya City, Tochigi. 30 years old. He started playing baseball with the Takaragi The Fighters in his third year at Takaragi Elementary School, and played for the Kanuma Boys while at Yosei Junior High School. He was selected for the national team in his third year. At Sano Nichidai High School in Tochigi, he reached the top four in the 2014 Spring Senbatsu during his third year. While at JR East in the corporate leagues, he contributed to a top-eight finish by recording consecutive shutout game wins in the 2017 Intercity Baseball Tournament. He joined the Orix Buffaloes as a first-round draft pick that same year. His career totals over 156 games are 51 wins, 48 losses, 1 hold, and a 3.62 ERA. 182 cm, 82 kg. Left-handed pitcher and hitter. Annual salary is 110 million yen.