Orix Buffaloes ・ Tomoya Mori catcher (30) indicated on the 15th that he is aiming to return to the first team for the game against the Seibu Lions on the 19th (at Kyocera D), which marks the league’s first game since the resumption of play.He was removed from the active roster on the 2nd due to upper-body discomfort and has been recovering in stages. “I hope that by the time of that game (against Seibu Lions), I’ll be able to hit solidly and go out there in top form without any concerns,” he said, reflecting the sense of responsibility expected of a key batter.

infielder Kotaro Kobayashi (24), who injured his left leg in the game against Hanshin Tigers on the 12th (at Kyocera Dome), was not removed from the roster and missed the last two games of the interleague series. As the team's undisputed starting short stop, he hit a team-high eight Home Run and said, "I don't want to be sidelined, and I feel like I can do it. I want to get ready to play in the game," with the game against Seibu Lions on the 19th in mind. Manager Kishida, whose team is third in the Pacific League, also nodded in agreement, saying, "We'll see how he's doing and gradually work him through, and the earliest he'll be back will be when he's ready."