Orix Buffaloes pitcher Kazuma Sato (25) expressed his fighting spirit on the 29th for his first start as a newlywed. The 190cm left-hander, who announced his marriage to a non-celebrity woman in January, is scheduled to make his first start of the season against Nippon-Ham on July 2nd (at Escon Stadium). "I was able closer well (in the minor leagues), and they saw that. I feel like I have something to work hard for... I'm looking forward to it," he said, eagerly anticipating taking the mound after Jerry and Tajima.

In his seventh professional season, he made the opening day roster for the first time as a relief pitcher. After being removed from the roster on April 20, he mainly worked on his training as a starter, and in his last three games in the farm league, he pitched a total of 11 inning, allowing only 2 runs (1 earned). During the offseason, he focused on "increasing his fastball velocity," and started the season with a new form in which he put his weight on his left pivot foot before throwing. However, during his training in the farm league, he reverted to his old form and focused on using his left leg in the same way. He revealed that this was necessary to throw 100 pitches in a game, rather than relying on momentum, and he expressed his satisfaction, saying, "It's a combination of what I've done before and what I've started to work on. Overall, pitch has become more careful."

pitcher staff is without ace Miyagi, a fellow draft pick from 2019, and Yamashita, who are both out due to elbow surgery. Soya has also been removed from the roster to prioritize conditioning, and Perdomo, who was moved from relief pitching, has also suffered an injury. The two wins Sato Ichi has earned in his professional career were victories against The Giants' Sugano and Softbank Hawks 's Arihara (both at the time). There are high expectations for the large left-hander, but he says, "Someone getting injured doesn't mean I'll get better. I don't really think about the team's situation," keeping his focus entirely on himself.

On this day, he participated in pitcher practice in Maishima, Osaka. "Regarding the opportunity I've been given, there's no difference between the farm team and the first team. I hope I can pitch as if I were in the second team," he said humbly, imagining a great performance. "For better or for worse, I see this as a year that has been given to me. I just want to throw each pitch well in the games I'm entrusted with, build on that, and complete the game." With his straightforward personality and one of the team's most dedicated practice regimens, he's a rising star who has climbed his way up from the development league. It's time for the big bud hidden within him to blossom. (Shunta Nanbu)