Nippon-Ham announced on the 1st that Ataru Yamaguchi was diagnosed with a fracture of the hamate bone in his left hand, and that he underwent surgery to remove the hamate bone at a hospital in Tokyo on the same day, which was successfully completed. He is expected to be out of batting practice for approximately four weeks.

In his fourth year this season, Yamaguchi has played in 10 games in the minor leagues, recording a batting average of .136, Home Run, and two RBI.