On the 28th, Orix Buffaloes announced that pitcher Andrés Machado (32) would be leaving Japan on the 1st to join the national team. With issues such as insurance coverage for injuries resolved, the team is set to participate in the tournament for the second time since 2023, when they were eliminated in the quarterfinals. If both teams advance through the first round, they may face Japan in the quarterfinals. Machado emphasized, "Of course, we can't win unless we beat Japan. My ideal situation would be for Japan and Venezuela to play in the final." This is Machado's third year in Japan. In 2025, he recorded 28 saves, third in the league, and he is expected to play as closer this season as well.