Orix Buffaloes pitcher Hiroya Miyagi has been chosen as the opening day pitcher for the game against Rakuten Eagles on the 27th (Kyocera Dome Osaka). After the game against Hanshin Tigers, manager Mamoru Kishida announced, "Miyagi will be the opening day pitcher." This will be Miyagi's third consecutive year in this important role, starting in 2024.

Miyagi, in his seventh year as a professional, participated in the WBC as a member of the Japanese national team. After losing to Venezuela in the quarterfinals and returning to Japan on the 16th, he expressed his desire to be the opening day pitcher, saying, "Now I have to switch gears and focus on the season. As pitcher, if there is a possibility, I would like to aim for it." In the WBC, he pitched in the first round games against Taiwan and the Czech Republic (both at Tokyo Dome), pitching a total of 3 1/3 scoreless runs. From the 17th, he continued his individual training with Soya, who was also part of the WBC group, at Maishima in Osaka, and rejoined the first team for the game against Hanshin Tigers on this day.

He is scheduled to make his first appearance in a preseason game Hanshin Tigers on the 21st (Kyocera Dome Osaka). In the opening game against Rakuten Eagles on March 28, 2013 (Kyocera Dome Osaka), he pitched a perfect pitch through seven innings. In the end, he gave up two hit and one runs in eight innings, and did not get a decision, but he contributed to the team's walk-off victory. Having experienced the big stage in two consecutive tournaments in 2011 and 2014, the ace left-hander has become reliable both physically and mentally. He will lead the way and give a tailwind to the team as they aim to reclaim the championship for the first time in three years.