◆Exhibition game: Orix Buffaloes vs. Hiroshima (March 18, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Anderson Espinoza made a strong case for a spot in the starting rotation with 5 innings pitched, allowing only 2 hit 1 runs. In the first inning, he started with runners on first and second with no outs, but only allowed one run on an infield grounder, and from the second inning onward, he didn't allow Hiroshima to reach second base. He also retired the side in order three times. change-up which he has been working to improve since the offseason, was also stable, and he said, "Today was good, but there are still good days and bad days. I have to keep practicing so that I can maintain this," looking ahead to the start of the season.

His home country, Venezuela, won the WBC for the first time. The foreign player, who is in his third year in Japan, watched the final game before heading to the stadium. "I cried when they won. I'm so proud," he said, overwhelmed with emotion. He smiled wryly as he reflected on his shaky pitch, saying, "I was so excited about the WBC that I couldn't get my head together before going to mound," but he quickly recovered.

He is friends with many players and team staff, including his Orix Buffaloes teammate Machado. He listed names one after another, including key players like Acuña and Arraez, with whom he has known for over 10 years. He sent a message to Machado saying, "Thank you for making me feel this way," and smiled, saying, "Acuña is a superstar, so I think he'll get too many messages today. I'll talk to him another day." He turned his emotions into strength, saying, "So many things are happening in my country, and so many emotions are welling up inside me."