Yomiuri Giants' Spencer Howard to start after four‑month injury

Yomiuri Giants right‑hander Spencer Howard (30) is preparing to make his first start of the season in the team's June 31 home game against the DeNA BayStars at Tokyo Dome. The pitcher, who suffered right Achilles‑tendon inflammation on April 4 and missed more than four months of action, returned to the Giants' first‑team training on April 30 and has been building up his workload in the farm system.

Howard said the lost time feels like “the first half of my season” and that he now has “plenty of energy left” to contribute. After a rehabilitation stint that included a three‑team game on June 24, he has logged five outings, highlighted by a five‑inning, 150 km/h fastball performance with three hits, no runs and eight strikeouts against the Nippon‑Ham Fighters. He will face the DeNA lineup for the first time since his injury, including former teammate Tsutsugo.