Atsuya Fujikawa, the Orix Buffaloes' first-round draft pick rookie pitcher, has rejoined the team and started rehabilitation after undergoing Tommy John (TJ) surgery.

“I am confident that I will heal my elbow and play an active role.” On September 1st, 13 days after his surgery, Fujikawa, who had just rejoined the team and begun rehabilitation, spoke with a firm expression at the club's facility in Maishima, Osaka.

A right-handed pitcher who joined the Orix Buffaloes as the first-round draft pick in 2025 from Nobeoka Gakuen High School, wielding a fastball that reaches a maximum speed of 153 km/h. Since joining the team, he has consistently led the way among the "high school trio," which includes second-round pick pitcher Haruki Mori (Osaka Toin High School) and third-round pick pitcher Ryuga Sato (Ken-dai Takasaki High School).

On May 3rd against Lotte (Sugimoto Shoji Bs), three players made their farm team debuts simultaneously, and he got off to a good start by retiring three batters in one inning on 8 pitches. On the 19th of the same month against Hiroshima (Kyocera Dome), he pitched 2 innings with no hits and no runs. On the 29th against Nippon-Ham (Sugimoto Shoji Bs), he was the first among his peers to pitch 3 innings and allowed no runs. On June 19th against the Hanshin Tigers (same venue), he took the starting mound for the first time and delivered a perfect pitch performance, not allowing a single runner through the 3rd inning. The highlight was the 4th inning. With one out, consecutive hits and poor fielding behind him led to the bases loaded, but he struck out Ryutaro Umeno swinging with a 150km fastball on the outside corner. He also got Kairi Shimada to fly out to left with a 150km pitch, finishing 4 innings with 55 pitches, 2 hits, 4 strike outs, no walk, and no runs, maintaining an ERA of 0.00. His control from an effortless form and his rhythmic pitching style hinted at a first-team debut during the season.

However, after this game, he had to leave the lineup due to right elbow pain. Although he recovered to the point where he could throw, he was unable to return to actual competition. In mid-July, he revealed his painful feelings, saying, "It might be impossible to reach the first team this year." With his elbow condition showing no signs of improvement, the doctors he consulted in August all recommended Tommy John surgery. Even so, he initially decided to avoid surgery, saying, "The situation is different from when I was injured in junior high and high school, so I thought I could manage with conservative treatment. I was extremely conflicted." However, he reconsidered after hearing voices around him saying, "Having surgery early is an opportunity." The fact that the ace pitcher Hiroya Miyagi and pitcher Shumpeita Yamashita had also decided to undergo surgery helped him look forward.

He underwent surgery on August 19 and will return to the regular season in two seasons. He has a specific vision for his return to the mound. It is not just about healing his elbow, but about transforming his form from one lacking power to one that is powerful. 'I think my current way of throwing would work, but I believe I would hit a plateau. When I try to increase output, I tense up, which puts a strain on my elbow and makes it easier to get injured.'

The images he has in mind are pitchers Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers). 'Both of them throw aggressively. Good pitchers have powerful forms. It's not just about fixing an elbow because it hurts and throwing faster because it got stronger; I want to aim for that after properly re-evaluating my body as well.' With a mound presence that exudes confidence and a bearded appearance, he aims for a full comeback in two years with a level of composure that belies his 18 years.

Interview and text by Masaki Kitano