Softbank Hawks Hawks pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa, who has been undergoing rehabilitation in the minor leagues due to a right elbow injury, showed signs of steady progress toward returning to the first team on the 15th. He practiced at the team's facilities in Chikugo, Fukuoka that day. The right-hander, who started in the minor league game against Hanshin Tigers Tigers on the 14th (at Tamasta Chikugo) and threw 78 pitches over 4 2/3 innings, giving up 2 runs, nodded and said, "My elbow is stiffer than yesterday, but there is no pain. I think I'm making progress little by little."

Uwasawa pitched in the game against Rakuten Eagles on May 15th (Rakuten Eagles Mobile), but was pulled after his shortest outing of the season, giving up 4 runs (0 earned) in 3 innings. He was then removed from the active roster on May 17th due to a right elbow injury. He made his return to action in a farm league game against Hiroshima on July 7th (Tama Stadium Chikugo). After his second game back, he is not yet satisfied with his performance, but he said, "Even in the games before I injured my elbow, my pitching form didn't feel very good. I think I was unconsciously protecting it, so I want to solidify my ideal pitching form so that I can pitch with a comfortable form."

He said that his schedule for pitching in the first team is "not something I get to decide," but his steps toward returning to the team are in the final stages.