Softbank Hawks of Nao Higashihama pitcher participated in pitcher practice at Mizuho Peipay on March 23. Although he was left out of the six-man opening day rotation, he will continue to make adjustments as the first backup in case of an emergency. The Hawks The 35-year-old right-hander, a FA holdover, was interviewed after practice and candidly revealed his feelings.

"I feel like I can still get better, and I'm coming up in good shape right now. I just want to focus on that. (It will be difficult to adjust both mentally and physically) but I have experience from last year, so I'm taking it fairly calmly," he said, looking ahead. In the game against Hanshin Tigers Tigers' minor league team on the 20th (Tama Stadium Chikugo), he gave up 2 runs in 6 1/3 innings and felt he had made good progress. "I'm throwing more pitches that I'm happy with. I'm putting out power and there's not much of a rebound in my body. I think my physical condition is really good, so I just want to keep improving the precision. My last outing was a relief, and to be honest, I felt like I had climbed a mountain. So I'm feeling very positive," he said with a smile.

Next, he is scheduled to pitch in Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes' second team game on the 27th (Tama Stadium Chikugo), which will be the opening day of the first team season. "It's not just about technique, but how much you prepare with the first team in mind. When you're actually asked to pitch, your emotions will be higher than you expect. So, in order to be in good condition, I think it's important to keep preparing with the first team in mind all the time," he said, emphasizing the need to maintain the same mental state in the second team as in the first team in order to take mound with composure when he is promoted.

The team's opening rotation will start with Uwasawa, Ozeki, Otsu, Haru Matsumoto, Stewart, Hsu Jo-Hsi as Moinelo's arrival in Japan was delayed. The reliable veteran with 76 career wins is on standby in case of emergencies.