◆Pre-season game Orix Buffaloes 0-1 Softbank Hawks (8th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Naruki Teranishi (23) has once again made a successful case for inclusion in the opening rotation. He pitched two perfect innings in a warm-up game against the Japanese WBC team on the 2nd (Kyocera Dome Osaka). He made a name for himself by shutting down major league players Ohtani, Suzuki, and Yoshida. On this day, he pitched as the second reliever from the 4th inning, allowing one runs in four innings and strike out, including four in a row. The right-hander's presence is growing as he has experienced the big stage.

The man who shut down Samurai Japan was inundated with messages. "Everyone was talking about Ohtani... They were saying he was amazing, and it made me realize just how amazing he is." Six days earlier, he had faced an all-fastball challenge, hitting a fly ball to left field with his two-way style. "There was an atmosphere. It was scary," he said, and the experience gave him the courage to take on the offensive as pitcher.

I'm firmly hitter and competitive. There is the fact that we can face them without running away from them." The Pacific Coast League champion's Softbank Hawks batting lineup was no walk a little too heavy for the first-year pro, who was having trouble finding the right pitch. There was no sign of the first-year pro having trouble finding the right pitch and relying cutter on it. He has been practicing fork since last fall and has found his meds. The method is to learn from Hirano, Miyagi and other seniors pitcher how to grip and throw the ball, and use different methods depending on the condition of each pitch. The first thing to do is to practice and perfect the technique.

Miyagi and Soya, who played in the WBC, are absent, but this is a chance for Teranishi. "He's connected from last time to this time, and is feeling good," said manager Kishida, giving him high praise. He is a breakout candidate with limitless potential and ambition. He is set to make a big leap in his second year. (Osada Toru)