Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes pitcher Shumpeita Yamashita (23) has announced that he will be "lifting the ban" on cutter in the game against the Lotte Marines on the 25th (SOKKEN). On the 23rd, he gave up his day off at the Miyazaki training camp to practice playing catch with Teranishi. With the first match against an NPB team in 2012 coming up, Yamashita clarified what he needs to do: "I think the reaction of the opposing hitter to breaking ball is a little different. I want to keep a close eye on that."

In his first real game of the season on the 18th, a training match against Samutsin (same venue), he pitched two innings without giving runs hit run, strike out one batter. He tested out his fastball, which tops out at 153 km/h, as well as his curveball and fork, but ended up not throwing his new cutter, which is similar to a "slutter" in the high 140 km/h range that he has been working hard to master since the offseason. "I want to try it out. The most important thing is how much I can express what I'm doing," he declared of his trial pitching.

At the current training camp, he is repeatedly practicing a form that does not put strain on his lower back, which had been bothering him until 2013. "I have to throw better balls than ever before while using a form that doesn't cause injury," he said, in a trial and error process. "I think it's still okay to think about it (during the game) for now. Ideally, I'll gradually become less conscious of my form as we approach the season," he said, nodding.

With Miyagi and Soya participating in the WBC, Manager Kishida emphasized that the opening pitcher has "not been decided yet." His rival, Kuri, is also doing well, but "at this point, I don't think anyone has been told what position they'll be pitching in. As a starter, it's only natural that we'll adjust to the first opening game." With his sights set on a big role for the first time since 2011, he will be stepping up the pace of his preparations.