[Orix Buffaloes] Hirooka Taishi leaves the game due to lower back stiffness... He was in the starting lineup as the leadoff hitter and third defense, but Masahiro Nishino took over third base in starting line-up third inning | Pacific League

[Orix Buffaloes] Hirooka Taishi left the game due to lower back stiffness... He was in the starting line-up as the leadoff hitter and third baseman, but Masahiro Nishino took over third defense in the third inning.

Sports Hochi

April 16, 2026 19:00

Orix Buffaloes 's Hirooka Taishi was substituted out in the third inning after only one at defense (Photo by Yoshimura Haruko)

◆ Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes vs. Seibu Lions (16th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)

Orix Buffaloes infielder Hirooka Taishi started at third base and batted first, but was replaced after just one at-bat. The team announced that he was being taken out as a precaution because he felt stiffness in his lower back. In the first inning, he grounded out to the shortstop off change-up from Seibu Lions 's Sugai. He took the defense in the second inning, but manager Kishida told him to be replaced by Nishino before the third defense.

Before the game, Hirooka was in a slump with a batting average of .196 and 3 RBI, and was quickly taken out of the game.