Orix Buffaloes Alen Kuri pitcher (34) closed out the Miyazaki camp with on the 27th. He threw 60 pitches while imagining "so that I can be in a state close to the game." He suddenly threw 350 pitches on February 1, reaching 1,250 pitches in one month. He prefaced his speech with the words, "It's not something I can control, but..." He was conscious of the opening game on March 27 ( against ). I think it will be really special . I hope I can bring myself to a state where I can give a good performance on March 27," he said. bullpen pitch bullpen Rakuten Eagles Kyocera Dome Osaka mound

With both left-handed pitchers Miyagi and Soya selected for the WBC Japan national team, the important role of opening day pitcher remains undecided, including Yamashita. Manager Mamoru Kishida acknowledged Kuri's determination, saying, "Of course, being the opening day pitcher is a special thing. I understand his feelings."