◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions 3-6 Lotte (October 10th, Omiya Park)

Lotte manager Saburo (49) spoke to reporters after the game Seibu Lions on the 10th and commented on the return pitcher Atsuki Taneichi (27), who pitched well in the farm league game against Nippon-Ham (at Lotte Urawa) that day, giving up no runs in five innings, to the first team.

"I think I'll pitch in the majors (first team) next. I'll either pitch with six days' rest, or shift it a bit. Basically, I want to have good pitcher on Tuesdays and Fridays, so I think it will be one of those two," he said, hinting that he could make his first start and first appearance in the majors this season as early as six days later, in the game Rakuten Eagles on the 17th (Rakuten Eagles Mobile).

Taneichi participated in the WBC held in March as a member of Samurai Japan, but was not included in the opening day roster and instead trained in the farm team. He pitched a total of eight runs inning in two games, starting with the game against Oisix in Niigata on the 3rd, and seemed to have gained confidence, saying, "Now I just need to make sure I'm properly prepared to pitch in the first team."