Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes outfielder Yutaro Sugimoto (34) will start the season in the minor leagues for the first time in six years, it was decided on the 25th. Considering the condition of both his knees, which have been experiencing chronic pain, the priority is to allow him to return to the first team in perfect condition. On that day, he participated in the team's full practice at Kyocera Dome and discussed his future plans with manager Kishida.

Both of his knees had been a source of concern since 2021, when he won his first Home Run title with 32 Home Run, but he fought hard as a key player in the first team. In 2025, he started the season as the cleanup hitter and cleared the required number of plate appearances for the first time in four years, hitting a team-high 16 Home Run. However, in his 11th professional season this year, he has been in a slump in the preseason games, At Bat 1-hit 15. He also played in the farm league game against Hanshin Tigers on the 24th (Kyocera Dome), but went hit in 3 at-At Bat.

Director Kishida told him, "We'd be in trouble without you. We want you to come back (in perfect condition)." Sugimoto also emphasized, "I haven't been able to move the way I want to... I want to recover completely and then do my best again." He vowed to revive Raoh and use this time to regain his brilliance. (Toru Nagata)