Hanshin Tigers catcher Tori Fushimi shines after trade from Nippon‑Ham

Veteran catcher Tori Fushimi, 36, moved from the Hokkaido Nippon‑Ham Fighters to the Hansian Tigers in November. After a strong start, including a 10‑game winning streak with pitcher Haruto Takahashi, he has become a regular starter, posting a .211 batting average but a .417 average with runners in scoring position. His defensive work and willingness to step into tough situations have earned praise from manager Kyuji Fujikawa and teammates.

Sports commentator Takashi Takagi speculated ahead of the upcoming trade deadline that further moves could involve Hanshin and Nippon‑Ham, mentioning potential swaps of shortstop, left‑field and other roster pieces. He noted that players like Daigo Uekita and Masahiro Tateishi might be part of negotiations, underscoring the ongoing strategic planning between the two clubs.