Orix Buffaloes pitcher Hiroya Miyagi (24) wrote about his determination to reclaim the championship title for the first time in three years in an exclusive column for Sports Hochi on the 26th, titled "Lifelong Training." The left-hander will be the opening day pitcher for the third time in three years in the game Rakuten Eagles on the 27th (Kyocera Dome). He participated in the WBC for the second time in two years, and it seems he was greatly inspired by the Major League players, including his respected Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (27). As the team's absolute ace, he welcomed the "great competition" among all the starting pitchers and set his sights on winning the championship and achieving a career high.

Readers of Sports Hochi, I was a little disappointed. I will write a column since New Year's. After independent training, camp, WBC, and open matches, it's finally time to start. This is the third consecutive year that he will be entrusted with the opening pitcher. I think there is a balance between inning and the number of pitches, but the feeling is the same as the past two years. You have to do your best from the first time. Until they are told that they are replaced, they will throw in so that they can closer with a minimum of runs.

I returned to the team from the WBC and pitched in the game against Hanshin Tigers on March 21st. The players and staff welcomed me back, and I heard cheers of "Good luck!" during catch practice between inning. The best thing about Orix Buffaloes is the relaxed atmosphere, in a good way. It really made me realize that it had been a long time.

I was able to participate in the WBC again, following my appearance in 2023. The biggest thing is the disappointment of losing in the quarterfinals. The atmosphere at the Miami stadium was completely hostile. The cheers were so loud that you couldn't hear unless you spoke right next to someone's ear. I didn't get a chance to pitch, but I would have loved to stand on mound.

Director Ibata told me that he was sorry for using complicated appointments in various situations. That is not true. Relief and inning pitching in the middle of the game. It was really because I had a very good experience. I think the reason I couldn't pitch in Miami was because I wasn't good enough yet. I have to improve more and more in order to become pitcher able to turn the tide. In the future, there are the Los Angeles Olympics and the next WBC. I want to be a player who can be selected, and if I am selected, I will fight as hard as I can and give my all.

Meeting and talking with people is also precious. Yoshinobu is a steady and popular person. People gather around him. After the quarterfinals, I said "Thank you" to him. Yoshinobu replied, "I don't think we'll meet again, but thank you"... I'm taking it as just our usual conversation (laughs).

Shohei Ohtani was very generous. When he joined the team, he said to me, "You're not using casual language with me." I was surprised that he remembered what happened last time (*1). He also allowed me to use casual language with him again (laughs). What Yusei Kikuchi values is that "training is important." He's a left-handed pitcher who has had a long and successful career in the majors. I knew it was important, but I realize now that it's even more important and I need to train harder.

I've fully shifted my mindset to the season and am ready for opening day today. I believe that if the young pitcher improve, we'll become a stronger team. For example, Peta (Yamashita) has been sidelined for a while, but this is an opportunity for them. If they work hard and it makes Peta feel pressured in a good way, that will be exciting. Of course, I'm also fully engaged in the competition and intend to win.

Softbank Hawks and Nippon-Ham are said to be strong. Once we get into the season, we never know what will happen, so we will always aim for the top. Orix Buffaloes We have a good group of players in the If each player does not get injured and all players support each other in bad times, I am sure we can win. My goal is to set a new career high (*2) and win the championship. As a pillar of the starting lineup, I will be pitcher unbeatable. (Daiya Miyagi)

(*1) Miyagi first met Ohtani at the 2023 WBC. At one point, he was talking to Roki Sasaki (now with the Dodgers), a classmate, who was using the restroom next to him. Unaware that he had switched places with Ohtani, he continued to speak to him informally. "I spoke to him informally by complete mistake. From that point on, my mind went haywire..." he said, confused, but Ohtani "permitted" him, saying, "Go ahead and speak to me informally!" When he called him "Shohei!" (of course, jokingly), Ohtani replied, "Oh, that's good!" and a heartwarming relationship was formed.

(*2) Miyagi's career highs were 13 wins and a winning percentage of .765 in 2021, ERA of 2.27 in 2023, and 165 strike out in 2025. Aside from winning Rookie of the Year in 2021, he has not won any individual titles.

◆Hiroya Miyagi: Born August 25, 2001, in Ginowan City, Okinawa. Age 24. Started playing baseball in the youth baseball "Shimashi The Dragons" and played for "Ginowan Ponies" in junior high school. Participated in Koshien in the summer of his first and second years at Konan High School. In his third year, he was selected for the U18 Japan national team and joined Orix Buffaloes as the first overall pick in the 2019 draft. In 2021, he won 13 games and was awarded Pacific League Rookie of the Year. He contributed to Samurai Japan's victory in the 2023 WBC and participated in the tournament for the second consecutive time in 2026. His career record is 49 wins and 29 losses in 115 games, ERA 2.48. 171 cm, 85 kg. Left-handed pitcher and left-handed batter. Annual salary of 220 million yen.