◆ Pacific League: Softbank Hawks vs. Orix Buffaloes (24th, Mizuho PayPay)

Softbank Hawks Hawks catcher Soichiro Ishizuka has been removed from the active roster. The previous day, on the 23rd, he was hit in the face by a fastball from Orix Buffaloes Buffaloes pitcher Machado in the bottom of the ninth inning with two outs and was rushed to the hospital. The team announced that he had been diagnosed with a fractured mandible. This comes as he was aiming to become a regular member of the first team, but is now unfortunately sidelined.

The 25-year-old joined the team as the first pick in the 2019 developmental draft. In his third year as a regular player this season, he has produced results in 46 games in the minor leagues with a batting average of .321, and was promoted to the first team for the first time this season on the 19th. In the game against Nippon-Ham on the 21st (at Escon Stadium), he recorded his second professional multi-hit game. He has continued to impress with a batting average of .364 (4 At Bat 11 hit) and 3 RBI in 4 games, including 3 games in starting line-up starting lineup.