Seibu Lions Kaima Taira pitcher (26) took part in live BP (live hitting practice) on the 18th.

"My goal was to throw the ball exactly where I wanted it," he said, throwing 32 pitches to four players. "They were on my team, so I couldn't really throw seriously," he said, allowing seven hit balls, but his fastest pitch was measured at 148 km/h. "Because there wasn't a protective net, I was able to throw more strike than before, and I think I was able to throw good balls," he said, feeling satisfied.

The right-handed pitcher, who had qualified for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) to be held in March, felt discomfort during practice on the 5th and missed practice on the 6th. His withdrawal was announced on the 11th. He has shown steady recovery, resuming bullpen pitch the following day, the 12th, but he is taking a cautious, step-by-step approach to his training, aiming for the opening day on March 27th, saying, "I don't want to get injured again."