Nippon-Ham win 6-1 against Lotte (ESCON F) on the 31st. On the 31st, on CS Fuji TV ONE's 'Pro baseball News 2026,' Kota Tatsu was featured as the first pitcher who returned to pitching that day and pitched 3 runs hit in 6 innings, earning his third win. Commentator Akihiko Oya said, "I think I had some idea of returning to the starting lineup, but by showing my full potential in the first inning of the reliever and pitch with fewer pitches, the balance has improved. I think the ball is getting stronger when it leaves my fingers," he said.

Commentator Hiroki Nomura said, "When you're a starter, you want to pitch long inning, so there's a possibility that you'll be slow at the start. I think there was a period when he was a starter and he was stuck, but through discussions with bullpen and coaches, he regained his true form by short stop inning, and when he returned to the starting rotation when he was ready, he got good results. I think Tatsumi also had a good experience and learned a lot." The show's MC, Motonobu Tanishige, also commented, "From the manager's and coaches' perspective, it must feel like they pulled it off."

☆ Cooperation: Fuji TV ONE "Professional baseball News 2026"