◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Orix Buffaloes (23rd, Mizuho PayPay Stadium)

Softbank Hawks Hawks pitcher Hsu Jo-Hsi will miss his scheduled start against Orix Buffaloes on the 24th (at Mizuho PayPay Dome) due to poor physical condition. Toshiya Nakamura will take his place as the starting pitcher.

Xu had been adjusting at the farm team and was scheduled to pitch on the 24th, but he went indoors early during pitcher practice at Mizuho PayPay on the 22nd. He did not appear on ground after that, and pitcher chief coach and head coordinator Shinji Kurano was cautious, saying, "There are various reasons, so we will decide after seeing how he is tomorrow."

Minoru Nakamura is a left-handed pitcher who joined the team from the Chiba Lotte Marines in last offseason's active player draft. He has made two relief appearances this season, but he is also capable of starting, as evidenced by complete game win with only one runs allowed in a farm team interleague game against Nippon-Ham Fighters on May 28th (at Tamasta Chikugo). Coach Kurano, who spoke to reporters that day, also mentioned that "we are not thinking of it as bullpen day." Can he save the team in his first start since joining the team?