Finally ready to take mound in the first team—Orix Buffaloes 's second-year right-handed pitcher, Reiji Higashiyama, has been re-registered as a regular player after undergoing Tommy John (TJ) surgery, and the moment to step onto the first-team stage for the first time is fast approaching.
"The real challenge starts now. I wasn't able to pitch in the first team for the entire last year. I want to use this as a springboard for my future professional baseball career." The day after being registered as a regular player, Higashiyama's expression became serious.
Higashiyama joined the Orix Buffaloes as the fifth overall pick in the 2024 draft, coming from Marugame High School (Kagawa Prefecture), Doshisha University, and ENEOS. short stop A right-hander whose main weapons are a pitch with a high hop from his arm fastball and change-up. Although he was expected to contribute immediately, he injured his elbow during his second appearance in spring training in his rookie year—a game against the The Giants (Kyocera Dome)—and was sidelined.Although his condition initially improved, the pain persisted. Faced with the choice between conservative treatment and Tommy John surgery, he ultimately decided to undergo the procedure in May.
Although he was worried about the surgery that left him with no track record, delayed surgery could mean nearly two years to return, and considering baseball 's life 10 or 15 years from now, he decided to have the scalpel performed on May 5, his birthday. In the offseason, he became a developmental player, and his number changed to 129. "It was a bit frustrating to be in triple digits, but it motivated me and gave me motivation," he said. Aiming for a comeback, he devoted a year to "forming without strain on the elbows and building a body that doesn't strain the elbows."
His recovery has been smooth, and he made his return to competitive play in a practice game against a corporate team on May 22nd of this year, about a year after his surgery. He made his first appearance in a minor league regular season against Hiroshima on June 14th (in Tokushima). In his most recent game, he gave up two runs, and ERA has jumped to 4.91 in a total of 11 games, but as he said, "fastball is gradually getting stronger, and if I can add a little more hop to it, I'll be able to turn those foul balls into swings and misses," he boasts a high strike out rate (12.27) with 15 strike out in 11 inning.
He reported the good news of his return to the main roster to his mentors, including his Doshisha University coach, Takumi Hanano, and his ENEOS coach, Hideaki Okubo. Coach Hanano, whom he met in his third year, told him that his current form wouldn't work and advised him to change to short stop arm. By throwing 200 pitches every day to solidify his form, he grew to the point where he achieved ERA (0.74) and won his first Best Nine award. At ENEOS, he was given the opportunity to gain experience in regular season from his first year and became a draft prospect. "If it weren't for Coach Hanano, I wouldn't be where I am today, and if I hadn't been able to baseball under Coach Okubo, I don't think I would have been able to go pro. I was fortunate to have great coaches, including my teachers from elementary and junior high school, and my high school coaches and managers." He will now show his gratitude with his pitching on the first-team mound, which he has finally earned.
Interview and text by Masaki Kitano
