On the 10th, Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) Rakuten Eagles that pitcher Seibu Lions Taira (26) of the Seibu Kaima Taira, who had been selected to represent Japan in the 6th World baseball Classic (WBC) to be held in March, has withdrawn due to a "left calf strain," and that pitcher Shoma Fujihira (27) of the Rakuten Lions has been selected as his replacement. Samurai Japan reporter Tsuyoshi Nagai explained the reasons behind manager Hirokazu Ibata's (50) choice of Fujihira.

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Following Taira's injury, there was a lot of discussion between the Samurai management and NPB over the past few days about who should be replaced. The reason why Manager Ibata finally chose Fujihira is likely due to the right-hander's "courage mound."

Manager Ibata called up Fujihira for the first time for the 2024 Premier12, praising his spirited pitch style. When they first met, he encouraged him, saying, "I chose you, so do your best." Fujihira was inspired and said, "I'll never forget those words." He pitched at full speed in the tournament, playing the most games on the team with a 0.00 ERA in six games, contributing to the team's runner-up finish. He was highly praised for the way he threw the white ball with all his heart, even in tight situations.

At the Miyazaki training camp held before the warm-up match against South Korea in November last year, he made a strong appeal to the manager, saying, "I'm in charge of the team's closer, but if I join Samurai Japan, I'll pitch anywhere." Fujihira's spirit was certainly conveyed to Manager Ibata, who places importance on the "feelings" towards the Samurai.

Taira, who regrettably declined, is set to become a starter this season for Seibu Lions, but was scheduled to be deployed as a relief pitcher for the Samurai. The withdrawal of a valuable setup man candidate who was skilled with his hands and was also able to handle the WBC pitches, is a blow, but Fujihira, who has a fastball that reaches a maximum speed of 156 km/h and fork, is thought to be sufficient to fill the hole in bullpen.

Like Taira, Hanshin Tigers 's Ishii, who was expected to be a key relief pitcher, was also injured on the 11th. With bullpen situation becoming increasingly difficult ahead of the pre-season training camp starting on the 14th, Manager Ibata's "favorite pitcher" is working tirelessly to secure a second consecutive championship. (Nagai Tsuyoshi)

◆Fujihira Shoma: Born September 21, 1998 in Chiba Prefecture. 27 years old. Played Koshien in the summer of his third year at Yokohama High School. Joined Rakuten Eagles as the first pick in the 2016 draft. Became a full-time relief pitcher in 2024. In last fall's Premier 12, he had an 0.00 ERA in six games. In nine years as a professional, he has made 154 appearances with a record of 12 wins and 19 losses, 41 hold, and 13 saves. ERA is 3.48. He is 185 cm tall and weighs 85 kg. He throws and bats right-handed. He has a wife and one daughter. His annual salary this season is 80 million yen.