◆Farm League West Division Softbank Hawks vs. Orix Buffaloes (April 4th, Tama Home Stadium Chikugo)

Pitcher Kazuki Sugiyama, who had recovered from a fractured finger on his left hand, took mound as the starter and closer pitcher runs for one inning.

Sugiyama was injured after the Nippon-Ham game (Escon) on April 11, not satisfied with his pitch, and hit the bench. In the Farm League Chunichi match on the 2nd, which was his return to the mound, he marked the fastest speed of 155 km/h and appealed that there was no problem with the output. On this day, which was the second game of his return, he broke the bat of Kono, the leader of the Orix Buffaloes, from the first pitch, and his fastball exceeded 150 km. He also took struck out missed in the fork and showed a stable pitch.

After his appearance, the right-hander said, "I didn't have much control over fork last time, so I'll focus on controlling that this time," showing a fairly satisfied expression with his pitch. Manager Kokubo mentioned Sugiyama after the game against Rakuten Eagles on the 3rd (at Mizuho PayPay Dome), saying, "We'll think about what to do after that (after his appearance on the 4th)." The closer, who has recorded four saves this season, said, "I think all I can do is wait (for the call)," but it has now been decided that he will rejoin the first team from the 5th.