◆ Pacific League Seibu Lions 7-4 Orix Buffaloes (18th, Tokyo Dome)

Orix Buffaloes ・ Reiji Higashiyama pitcher (26) murmured to himself, “I can finally pitch…” He underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in May of his rookie year (2025) and re-signed to a development contract that offseason. On July 30, he returned to the active roster and made his professional debut.Leading off the eighth inning, he induced Tsuyoshi Nakamura to ground out to third on a change-up. It was the first time he had recorded an out against the legendary slugger, who has a career total of 481 Home Run, and he made a commanding debut, pitching one inning with no runs and two strike out, relying primarily on a fastball that reached a top speed of 149 km/h.

A turning point in his baseball career came in 2021, during his third year at the university. He started in an exhibition game against a corporate team in March, but gave up eight Hit by Pitch hit batters by the second inning, resulting in a disastrous performance with double-digit runs allowed. He faced a harsh reality in the first external game of the new season, where the coaching staff had sent him out saying, "The team has high expectations of you." He decided that "this won't do" and changed his mindset. Working closely with coach Koki Kawabata, he improved his takeback to short stop arm. By abandoning a brute-force form, his control began to stabilize.

For Higashiyama, this person was a benefactor who paved the way for him to turn professional. "There's no need to stress about repaying someone's kindness. Just do what you can do now." The words he received after returning to the main roster strengthened his resolve. "I want to throw each pitch carefully and with all my heart." The right-handed pitcher, drafted in the fifth round in 2024 and expected to be an immediate contributor, has restarted his professional baseball career after taking a roundabout path. (Shunta Nanbu)

◆Reiji Higashiyama: Born May 5, 2000, in Sakaide City, Kagawa Prefecture. Age 26. Started playing baseball in the Sakaide Kawazu baseball Sports Club during his time at Kawazu Elementary School, and played for the soft baseball club at Sakaide Junior High School. Did not participate in Koshien while at Marugame High School in Kagawa. After graduating from university and playing for ENEOS in the corporate league, he joined Orix Buffaloes in the 2024 draft as the 5th pick. 180 cm, 83 kg. Right-handed pitcher and batter. Annual salary: 7 million yen.