Daichi Ishii makes competitive return for Hanshin Tigers

Hanshin Tigers pitcher Daichi Ishii made his competitive return on August 23 in a farm league game against the SoftBank Hawks. The appearance follows a long absence caused by a ruptured left Achilles tendon sustained during a practice game in February.

Pitching one inning at SGL Amagasaki Stadium, Ishii allowed two hits but conceded no runs while recording three strikeouts. Observers noted his velocity remained high, with fastballs reaching up to 152 km/h. Fans and analysts have expressed surprise at his performance, noting that his control and speed appear to have evolved during his rehabilitation process.