Kota Tatsu pitcher (21) of Nippon-Ham, who is scheduled to start the open game against Hanshin Tigers on the 23rd (Nago), looked forward to facing Torai Fushimi catcher (35), who was his battery until last season and was traded to Hanshin Tigers in the off-season. He and Fushimi combined for seven of the eight wins last season. He said, "Please tell Toratake-san to come here (laughs). He said that they have kept in touch after the transfer, but he was not sure if Fushimi would be participating in the tournament, "I asked him, but he said he couldn't tell me any confidential information. Where did our friendship go so far?" In a joking Tatsuji remark, he looked forward to meeting his respected senpai again.

The right-hander, who is scheduled to start in the third game of the season (against Softbank Hawks and Mizuho PayPay) on March 29, will make his third appearance on the mound on the 23rd. He is expected to aim for 50 pitches, and envisioned a game with an eye on the opening day, saying, "I'll be trying out different tempos with each inning, as well as supplements and drinks (between inning)."