Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes infielder Kotaro Kobayashi (24) expressed his eagerness to play in the league restart game Seibu Lions on the 19th (at Kyocera Dome) on the 18th. He injured his left leg in the game against Hanshin Tigers on the 12th (at the same stadium) and missed the last two games of the interleague series. "There's absolutely no problem (with the injured area). I think it was a good period. I've recovered properly. I'm ready," he emphasized.

On this day, he participated in the team's practice at their home stadium and faced Soya and Takashima in live batting practice (a simulated game). Although he didn't get hit out of 15 pitches, he said it was "really helpful" because he was able to check out the pitches of first-team level players.

In his seventh professional season, he has hit a team-high eight Home Run as the starting short stop. Manager Kishida, who met with him after practice, explained, "Everything has gone according to plan so far, and he's making good progress. He's recovered considerably. I think he'll be ready soon."