He was confronted with a harsh reality. On the morning of August 25th, the schedule function on Orix Buffaloes pitcher Kosuke Kawachi's mobile phone announced that he was 'pitching today.' Originally, he was supposed to be standing on the mound for his return after undergoing a second surgery for a 'ruptured right anterior cruciate ligament' in February of this year. However, he injured his left leg in August and underwent surgery on the 14th, making this day the day his stitches were removed instead.

This was his third surgery in three years. After joining the team as the second-round draft pick in 2023 from St. Catalina High School (Ehime), he underwent Tommy John (TJ) surgery on August 23rd of his first year. He became a developmental player and returned to action a year later in September. During defense practice at the 2025 spring camp, where he aimed for a breakthrough, he injured his right knee and underwent a second surgery on February 27th. His cast was removed on May 26th, and by July 21st, he threw 30 pitches in the bullpen, progressing smoothly through rehabilitation toward a return six months post-surgery.

Good things are often accompanied by misfortune. While doing dashes on the slopes around the team facilities in Maishima, Osaka, he injured his left instep. 'It was incredibly painful, but at first, I thought it was just inflammation that would allow me to walk once the swelling went down, so I intended not to tell anyone. However, it hurt so much I couldn't walk.' Upon examination, it was discovered that the ligament connecting the bones in his instep had torn, and there was also a fracture. 'The rehabilitation was going so well that perhaps the load on my feet wasn't balanced. It was the same when I did my ACL; it just happens suddenly. If there were warning signs, I could have noticed midway,' Kawachi said. Since joining the team, he has gained about 15kg, increasing his muscle mass. 'I don't know if that was the cause, but you can't compete without a proper physique in the first place. I just have to train so that my body can withstand it,' he said, expressing how he felt the difficulty of increasing output toward a comeback while undergoing rehabilitation.

The third surgery was decided, and after parting ways with the team trainer who had accompanied him, Kawauchi returned to the dormitory alone by car. 'It was tough driving back by myself. I was quite frustrated when I did my ACL, but this surpassed that. The word "surgery" carries a lot of weight, but it felt like, "Again?" or "Is it really that easy to end up needing surgery?" The music playing in the car was also a song that just made me feel sad...' said Kawauchi.

Since joining the team, he has achieved almost nothing and spends every day in rehabilitation. It is a trial too harsh for a 21-year-old who cannot contribute to the team. The saving grace is that the recovery period is shorter than the previous two times. He plans to enter the bullpen during the fall camp in November. 'Since I had surgery on both my elbow and knee, the sensation of throwing is different. I only have two and a half months, but I have no choice but to work hard at throwing and moving my body through the winter so I can get off to a good start at spring camp. I don't know if I'll have a contract next year, but I will come back stronger.' He envisions the day he will stand on the mound as a pitcher who possesses both a strong body and a strong heart, having overcome major injuries.

Interview and text by Masaki Kitano