On the 11th, Softbank Hawks pitcher Kazuki Sugiyama was included among the six players on the reserve roster for Japan's WBC national team.

He served as a closer from the middle of the season last season, with 3 wins, 4 losses, 31 saves, and a ERA 1.82 in 65 games. The 28-year-old, who is in his eighth year, is in a position to compete with Osuna for the position of guardian deity from the opening. On this day, it was the second day in a row that he entered the bullpen and practiced a heated pitch, including the two seam fastball of the new ball.