Orix Buffaloes pitcher Kazuma Sato will make his first start of the season in the game against Nippon-Ham on the 2nd (ES CON FIELD). The seventh-year left-hander, who came up through the farm system, made the opening day roster as a reliever this season and posted a 3.00 ERA in four games. After being removed from the active roster on April 20th, he made six starts in the farm league. He has prepared himself and earned his chance to play in the first team.

He has two career wins as a professional. One of those wins was against Nippon-Ham 's Arihara, whom he defeated in a pitching duel. He will face the opposing right-hander again on the 2nd. "The most important thing is to compete with hitter. I want to attack without backing down. Considering Arihara's record, he is an amazing player. I won't dwell on the fact that I beat him in a pitching duel, and I want to compete properly against Nippon-Ham lineup," he said with conviction.