Softbank Hawks pitcher Yuki Matsumoto (29), a member of the Japanese WBC team, entered bullpen for the first time on the 3rd. He is part of the S group, which is set to join the team on the 14th, but he participated from the first day of the Miyazaki training camp. He said he was "only about halfway through" the day, and threw 30 pitches using the official tournament ball, including a fastball, a curveball, two seam fastball, and other breaking ball.

"I'm not really thinking about it (in preparation for the WBC)," he said, looking confident in his first international tournament. In 2013, he played 51 games with 5 wins and 2 losses, 39 hold, and ERA of 1.07. He contributed to the team's consecutive league championships and was named Best reliever for the first time. He made his first appearance on the national team in a warm-up match against South Korea in November of last year. He also threw with the WBC ball during his off-season. "I'm throwing without any major discomfort." He also had a good feeling about fork which is his signature pitch along with slider, saying, "It drops just as I imagined."

He is expected to be part of the winning pattern at the WBC, but he emphasized, "I just want to produce results where I'm given the opportunity." His unwavering right arm will be the driving force behind his team's consecutive world championships. (Moriguchi Noboru)