On the 4th, Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes pitcher Soichiro Yamazaki (27) vowed to complete the season at his "optimal weight." Last season, despite struggling with three farm team adjustments, the 160 kg right-hander pitched in 28 games, recording one win and four hold in eight games since September. "My ideal weight is 93 kg. I'm trying to maintain that weight," he said, setting out his plans for his 10th season as a pro.

In 2013, he entered the Miyazaki training camp weighing between 98 and 100 kg. However, "I felt like I wasn't moving the way I wanted to. I thought I'd just lose enough weight to be able to run," and so he gradually lost weight from the start of the season. "I was a little scared," he said, expressing concern about a lack of power, but after the summer when he was down to 93 kg, he felt in good shape. "My speed is a little slower than when I was at my fastest, but I was able to keep it in the upper 150 km/h range. (The weight loss) went well," he said, feeling confident, and in January he continued to maintain a "body that could move" by running between poles and other exercises.

On the 3rd, the final day of the first session of the Miyazaki camp, he took to bullpen after only one day of rest, following on from the first day. After struggling to solidify his form a year ago, he looked refreshed and said, "I don't have any big worries like before. This year is really important, so I want to be in good condition from the very first pitch." Secret goals include pitching in 50 games for the first time in three years, and regaining the top spot in the original lineup for the first time in two years. The sharp Soichiro will be the star of the Orix Buffaloes. (Nambu Shunta)