On the 29th, it emerged that Orix Buffaloes pitcher Ryuhei Sotani (25) may return to the mound for the three-game series against Lotte starting on August 7th (at ZOZO Marine Stadium). The left-hander has been prioritizing his conditioning since his last appearance on June 10th against Yakult (at Kyocera Dome), where he earned his fourth win with 9 runs allowed. He has already pitched in two games and is scheduled to pitch around 5 inning in a farm league game against Softbank Hawks on August 1st (at Tamasta Chikugo).
On this day, he participated in a full team practice in Maishima, Osaka. He emphasized, "I want to get good results and prepare so that I can be promoted back to the first team as soon as possible."
![[Photo] Former Seibu Lions Lions player Hiroyuki Nakajima, who retired last year, goes on a "lunch" date with his wife! "They're a loving couple," "They look good together," "They're both so cute."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/07/11/20260711-OHT1I51291-C.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] In excellent condition! Ryuhei Sotani to return to action after a month: "With a feeling of gratitude" in the July 19 farm Hanshin Tigers game against Hanshin.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/07/17/20260717-OHT1I51466-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Manager Ryuhei Sotani reveals plans for Ryuhei Soya's return in August: "It looks like he'll be able to come back, so that's a positive sign."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/07/26/20260726-OHT1I51476-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Ryuhei Sotani Soya to return to action in the farm Hanshin Tigers game against Hanshin on July 19th. Manager Mamoru Kishida: "We will proceed while monitoring his condition."](https://hochi.news/images/2026/07/18/20260718-OHT1I51616-L.jpg)
![[Orix Buffaloes] Ryuhei Sotani is looking to return to the first team after the All-Star break: "I want to come back as soon as possible." He will not pitch from June 10th as conditioning is his top priority.](https://hochi.news/images/2026/07/09/20260709-OHT1I51406-L.jpg)
