Orix Buffaloes announced on the 25th that pitcher Hitomi Honda was diagnosed with a right vertebral artery dissection after being examined at a hospital in Osaka City. He is scheduled to monitor his progress and resume practice going forward.

In his ninth professional season, he overcame right elbow surgery in September 2013 and returned to the main roster from the minor leagues at the end of July. He had pitched in two games so far. In the game against Softbank Hawks on the 22nd (at Mizuho PayPay Dome), line drive from Makihara Dai hit him near the neck and he had to leave the game. After the game, he emphasized that it was a minor injury, saying, "I think it's just swelling and pain, so I think I'll be okay," but he was removed from the active roster the following day, the 23rd.