On the 5th, the Orix Buffaloes announced that pitcher Kohei Azuma underwent ligament repair surgery combined with an internal brace for a right elbow medial collateral ligament injury at a hospital in Saga Prefecture on the 4th. Following a hospitalization of approximately one week, he will undergo rehabilitation toward his return.

He joined the team as the second pick in the 2017 developmental draft. In this, his ninth professional season, he has been away from game action since his last appearance in a farm league game against the Hanshin Tigers (SGL) on July 18, and had been undergoing a no-throw adjustment period for over a month. He has been plagued by concerns regarding his right elbow for the past few years, and this surgery follows previous ones in August of the year before last and November of last year. A return within this season is now considered hopeless.

Among the pitcher staff, aces Miyagi and Yamashita are out long-term due to surgery, as are fielders Mori and Tongu. A 'man who doesn't lose,' he consistently commands a 150km/h fastball and a variety of breaking balls, having secured eight consecutive wins without a loss since his debut in 2022. He aims for a complete comeback by overcoming these hardships.