Orix Buffaloes pitcher Kazuma Sato attended contract renewal negotiations at the player dormitory in Maishima, Osaka on the 9th, signing for an estimated annual salary of 8 million yen, which remains unchanged. He revealed the details of the discussion, stating, 'I was told that while I have shown steady growth since being promoted from a developmental contract, I still have some inconsistencies. Since I have been able to play without injury, the next step is simply to succeed with the first team. They told me they want me to work hard toward that goal.'

In his seventh professional season this year, he started the season in the first team as a reliever, posting a 3.00 ERA over four games in April. However, in his first start on July 2nd against Nippon-Ham (ES CON FIELD), he allowed four consecutive home runs starting from the first batter of the first inning, a first in history. Ultimately, he finished with 0 wins, 1 loss, and a 9.00 ERA across seven games. He reflected on that time in his own words.

I received words from Mr. Hiroshi Kobayashi that lifted me up from a negative state, saying, 'Just because you gave up four home runs doesn't mean you lost four games. Giving up one grand slam results in the same number of runs.' It was quite tough at that time, but I want to keep the words he gave me in mind so that I can use them as a resource if things don't go well next year. The words I received from various people had a weight to them that was different from anything I had experienced before.

A large left-handed pitcher standing 190 centimeters tall. He expressed a grim determination, saying, 'Anyway, I just need to perform well. I'll take any role as long as I'm on the first-team roster. Having been on the edge every year, I really have to produce results soon. I want to demonstrate my readiness to accept everything, knowing that if I don't get results, it's all over.'