[Orix Buffaloes] Kotaro Kobayashi is substituted out mid-game... Hit by Pitch by a pitch near his face guard in his previous at-bat, Tomoya Noguchi moves to shortstop | Pacific League

[Orix Buffaloes] Kotaro Kobayashi is substituted out mid-game... He was hit by a pitch near his face guard in the at-bat just before, and Hit by Pitch Tomoya Noguchi moves to shortstop.

Sports Hochi

July 12, 2026 19:01

In the sixth inning, with no outs and a runner on third base, Kotaro Kobayashi was hit by Hit by Pitch (Photo by Aki Takematsu).

◆ Pacific League League: Lotte vs. Orix Buffaloes (12th, ZOZO Marine Stadium)

Orix Buffaloes infielder Kotaro Kobayashi started the game as the fifth batter and shortstop, but was substituted out in the sixth defense.

In his previous at-bat, Hit by Pitch by a pitch near his face guard from Lotte's Yagi. He went to the dugout with his trainer for treatment and then briefly resumed playing.

Nevertheless, Noguchi will be taking over at shortstop from the bottom of the defense. As the starting short stop who has hit a team-high 11 Home Run so far, we can only hope that he is alright.