◆ Seibu Lions Pacific League: Seibu vs. Orix Buffaloes (18th, Tokyo Dome)

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Reiji Reiji Higashiyama joined the first team for the first time on the 18th, in his second year as a professional. Last season, his rookie year, he underwent ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction surgery (commonly known as Tommy John surgery) in his right elbow in May, and was re-signed as a developmental player in the offseason. After overcoming rehabilitation, he returned to the main roster on July 30th.

In the farm league, he appeared in 11 games, recording 0 wins, 2 losses, and 1 ERA 4.91, but his signature fastball was clocked at over 150 km/h. The right-handed pitcher, who was the 5th pick in the 2024 draft, said, "I'm more excited than anything else. When I'm given the chance, I want to closer well and contribute to the team. I want to pitch with gratitude for being able to baseball," eagerly anticipating the long-awaited stage.

On this day, Honda and Iwasaki also joined the team. Honda, who overcame right elbow surgery in September 2013 and returned to the main roster on July 30th, the same day as Higashiyama, had a record of 2 wins and 0 losses ERA of 4.32 in 8 farm league games. The ninth-year right-hander has appeared in a total of 96 games, including 2 saves and 14 hold in 42 games in 2013. He rejoined the team after a two-season absence.

Iwasaki, in his 19th professional season, was promoted to the first team for the first time on June 2nd. However, he struggled in 12 games, going 0-2 with 2 ERA of 8.71, and was removed from the active roster on July 17th. Since then, he has pitched multiple inning in three games in the farm league. In the game against Hanshin Tigers on the 13th (SGL), he pitched two hit and hitless runs with two strike out, showing signs of recovery.

The team runs up 12 and 13 runs respectively in their games against Nippon-Ham Fighters on the 15th and 16th (Kyocera Dome Osaka). On the 17th, three relief pitchers, Abe, Kawase, and Gonda, were removed from the active roster. The team, currently in fourth place in the Pacific League with a deficit of one game, is seven games behind third-placed Nippon-Ham, who are in a playoff spot, with 34 games remaining. The three pitcher are eager to turn the tide in the final stages of the season.