Orix Buffaloes pitcher Kaito Saiki, who is aiming to return to action after surgery on his right elbow, has been encouraged by a LINE message from his senior teammate, pitcher Sho Iwasaki, who has already returned to the first team, and is aiming to return to competitive play in mid-June.
"Sho-san (Iwasaki) sent me a LINE message saying, 'I'll do my best here until you make it up to the first team.' I'm just following him around on my own, but I'm looking forward to heading home with him after practice," said Saiki, who is currently adjusting with the second team, looking ahead.
Saiki is from Osaka Prefecture. After attending Hokkaido Sakae High School and Daikei University, he joined the Orix Buffaloes as the second overall pick in the 2022 Development Draft. In May of his second year, he was added to the active roster and appeared in 15 games as a reliever.Last season, his third year, he made a dynamic start, going runs in 10 consecutive games from his debut, establishing himself as a key part of the bullpen. By the end of the season, he was entrusted with closer, appearing in 38 games with a record of 2 wins, 1 loss, and 4 saves, along with 11 hold and a ERA of 1.87.
In October of last year, after the season ended, he underwent arthroscopic osteophyte removal and loose body fragment removal surgery to alleviate concerns about his right elbow, and made his return to competitive play in a practice game in April of this year, his first game in 198 days. However, since then, although he has pitched in three games in the minor leagues, he has continued to adjust due to poor physical condition.
Saiki looks up to Iwasaki, who transferred from Chunichi Dragons midway through last season, as his "mentor." He openly states, "He's spent half his life in the professional world. He has a wonderful personality and is someone I aspire to be like." As a fellow reliever, he tries to learn from Iwasaki's demeanor, and during practice, he follows behind ground as he goes from the dugout to the practice field. Their close relationship has earned them the nickname "Mallard Duck Family" from fans.
Iwasaki, however, injured his knee just before the season started and was forced to adjust in the minor leagues. He and his teammate spent their days at the team's facility in Maishima, Osaka, working towards their return. Iwasaki was promoted to the first team earlier, on June 2nd. In the game against The Giants that day (Tokyo Dome), he made a successful return to the mound, hitter one inning to four batters, hit 12 pitches, allowing no strike out none, BB one, and giving up no runs.
It was after the game that day that Iwasaki sent a LINE message. When Saiki sent a stamp that meant "nice pitching," Iwasaki replied, "I'll stay with the first team until you come up." It was probably a sentiment similar to that of a mother duck, encouraging her ducklings to fly away quickly, while also telling them that she will always be watching over them and that they should prepare without pushing themselves too hard.
"Even at Maishima, fans have told me, 'Iwasaki-san looks lonely when he's practicing alone.' I sent a message to Sho-san saying, 'Please wait for me,'" said Saiki. Having celebrated his 26th birthday on the 10th, he vowed to revive the "Mallard Duck Family" to save the team from its current crisis.
Interview and text by Masaki Kitano
