Lotte pitcher Kazuya Ojima (29) threw 51 pitches in bullpen on the first day of the training camp in Miyakonojo, Miyazaki on the 1st.

"I had been there during my own training, so I thought I would just go in normally on the first day.I felt like I could get started in my own mind.My fingers were a little numb at times, but I think I was able to pitch with good balance today," he said, nodding with satisfaction.

If he serves as the opening pitcher, it will be his fourth consecutive year, but he modestly commented, "I don't think I could have done as well as last year." He quietly expressed his fighting spirit for his eighth year, saying, "I'm not in a position where the rotation has been decided, so I'll do my best."