Orix Buffaloes announce retirement of pitcher Hitomi Honda

Orix Buffaloes pitcher Hitomi Honda has announced his retirement from professional baseball. The decision follows a serious injury sustained during a game against the SoftBank Hawks on August 22, when a hit ball struck him in the neck.

Medical examinations revealed a right vertebral artery dissection. Honda, a right-handed pitcher known for a fastball reaching 158 km/h, joined the team in 2017 as a fourth-round draft pick and played a key role in the team's recent success. In a statement released through the club, Honda expressed gratitude to his fans and colleagues, noting that he decided to retire after much deliberation.