Nippon-Ham pitcher Kota Tatsu (21) entered bullpen in Nago, Okinawa on the 7th. He threw 48 pitches while measuring the trajectory and amount of movement using a Trackman. He is scheduled to be the "opening pitcher" in the team's first external game on the 8th against Hanshin Tigers Tigers (Nago). "It's the first time I've pitched to a batter, so I'm just trying to get a feel for it. It's like getting my game sense back. For now, I hope I don't get injured. I just hope I don't throw line drive at pitcher (laughs)."

On this day, he tried out a new ball and slatter and said, "It looks like it can be used. slider was quite a sweeper, so the slatter was about between the sweeper and the sweep. I couldn't throw the ball there for a whole year last year, so I think there are some signs." Learn the slatter, which is an intermediate between a fastball and a slider, and expand the range of pitch.

There is a possibility that he will face Fushimi, with whom he was his battery partner last season, and he is looking forward to the match, saying, "He will be Slater's practice partner (laughs)."