◆Nippon Life Interleague Series 2026: Orix Buffaloes vs. Hanshin Tigers (June 14, Kyocera Dome Osaka)
Orix Buffaloes infielder Kotaro Kobayashi made his first appearance at pre-game practice in two days. He complained of discomfort in his left leg during the game against Hanshin Tigers on the 12th (Kyocera Dome Osaka) and was substituted out of the game in the 5th defense. He did not take to ground the following day, the 13th, and was not included in the roster.
After the game on the 13th, manager Kishida explained, "It's nothing serious. That's good. He'll be in practice on the 14th, but the training menu will change depending on his condition." In his seventh professional season, he has played in 58 games as the starting short stop, batting .244 with 8 Home Run and 20 RBI.
![[Photo] Naniwa Danshi's Joichiro Fujiwara shows off his brilliant form in his important role for the fifth year in a row.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/03/27/20260327-OHT1I51632-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Seiya Yokoyama joins the first team... On the 12th, the day before, regular short stop Kotaro Kobayashi was substituted out due to discomfort in his left foot and was not in the lineup for batting practice.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/13/20260613-OHT1I51115-C.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Seiya Yokoyama added to the active roster... The previous day, on the 12th, regular short stop Kotaro Kobayashi was substituted out due to discomfort in his left foot.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/13/20260613-OHT1I51179-C.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Kotaro Kobayashi avoids being removed from the active roster. He did not appear at pre-game practice and was substituted out the previous day due to discomfort in his left foot.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/13/20260613-OHT1I51167-C.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Manager Mamoru Kishida on Kotaro Kobayashi was not on the bench: "It's nothing serious." He was substituted out the previous night due to discomfort in his left foot.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/06/13/20260613-OHT1I51524-C.jpg)
