Orix Buffaloes pitcher Kosei Yoshida (25) will rejoin the first team for the game against Nippon-Ham on the 18th (Kyocera Dome), it was decided on the 17th. Having overcome Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in March 2013, he has a record of 1 win, 2 losses, 8 hold, and ERA 4.11 in 20 games this season, his eighth as a professional. The right-hander, who was removed from the active roster on the 2nd for the purpose of resting, will restart on the first day of Orix's "Orihime Day" (a special event for fans).

"I was able to rest well." In the April 25 game against Nippon-Ham (same game), returning to the first team after 574 days, he got Reyes out with a single fly out with two outs and bases loaded. After that, he kept running at full speed, so he chose to adjust to a no-throw system until the 6th. He pitched long distances on the 7th, resumed bullpen pitch on the 8th, and returned to action in the Farm League Game Hanshin Tigers on the 10th (Sugimoto Shoji BS). He retired all three batters in order after 13 pitches, saying, "After surgery, I hit 150 km/h for the first time, and even the slowest (fastball) was 147 km/h. I'm more than satisfied. It was a gamble adjustment, but I succeeded," he said with confidence.

The team suffered three straight losses Rakuten Eagles in their three-game series starting on the 14th (Rakuten Eagles Mobile). A total of 16 pitcher gave up 18 runs, leaving them in a difficult situation in fourth place with a win-loss record of just one game above .500. "From here on, things will get tougher and tougher for the relief pitchers as we head into the final stages of the season. I think there will be times when I have to pitch three games in a row once September arrives, so as long as I don't get injured, I want to aim for that," said Kosei, reaffirming his promise to pitch in 50 or more games for the third time in his career. This photogenic man is looking to change the tide. (Shunta Nanbu)