WBC warm-up match Orix Buffaloes and Czech Republic (3rd, Sunmarine)

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Seiryu Kotajima, who underwent right elbow cleaning surgery in September 2025, returned to action on the 3rd. It was his first mound in 198 days, since the Chunichi League game against Western League (Nagoya) on August 17th of the same year. He pitched as the second reliever in the third inning with the score at 2-0, pitching one inning without allowing hit runs, with one strike out.

He got Escala to fly out to left to lead off, and Playda followed with a fly out to center field. Finally, he closed Menschik to struck out miss with three pitches. 24 years as a pillar of relief, he became the second rookie in history (first for Pacific League) to make 50 or more plate appearances & ERA score 0 runs (ERA 0.79 in 50 games). The hot-blooded right-hander, who had caught the attention of fans by raising his gear in a pinch and with a championship-class gut-punch, has made a fresh start.