Orix Buffaloes The team officially announced that it has added the following players from its youth system to its active roster: Mu-heng Chen (Chen Muhen), pitcher (20), Hitomi Honda (Hitomi), pitcher (27), Reiji Higashiyama, and pitcher (26). number Chen will wear No. 92, Honda No. 46, and Higashiyama No. 54.

Chen, who hails from Taiwan, joined the team in October 2024, and in his second year with the team, he took his first step toward his dream in a foreign land. "I am grateful to everyone in the team for registering me as a regular player. I got injured early in this season, so I got off to a slow start, and to be honest, I didn't think I would be registered as a regular player at this time. That's why I'm really happy and grateful to have been given this opportunity. I will do my best to become a valuable asset to the first team as soon as possible and to give a good performance in my first appearance," he said, expressing his joy.

Honda, a right-handed pitcher in his ninth year with the team, has overcome rehabilitation following right elbow cleaning surgery last September and has returned to the main roster for the second time. "Since the surgery and rehabilitation, my goal has been to be registered as a main roster player, so I'm honestly relieved. During my rehabilitation, I received support from many people, including the coaching staff and trainers. I also received a lot of encouragement from the fans. I'm glad that I can return as a main roster player and give everyone this good news. Now that I'm back as a main roster player, I think the best way to repay that is to contribute to the first team. I will continue to work hard so that I can show everyone my performance on the first team stage," he said, renewing his resolve.

Higashiyama, who joined the team as the fifth pick in the 2024 draft, has overcome the ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery (commonly known as Tommy John surgery) he underwent last May and has achieved his goal of returning to the main roster in just one year. "I am honestly very happy. While I was rehabilitating from my injury, I received support from many people, including my family who worried about me and the people at my high school and university who have helped me along the way. First of all, I want to express my gratitude to all of them. I was initially disappointed to have surgery in my first year with the team, but I saw it as a necessary time to continue as a professional baseball player for a long time, and I was able to work hard on my rehabilitation and training in my own way. I would like to show everyone how much I have grown through my performance on mound," he promised.