Orix Buffaloes pitchers recovery from surgery

Orix Buffaloes pitchers Yuki Udagawa and Kosei Yoshida are working toward returns to professional play following Tommy John surgery.

Yuki Udagawa is preparing for a comeback in the Miyazaki Phoenix League after undergoing surgery in March 2025. Following setbacks involving pain and psychological pressure, Udagawa has focused on a rehabilitation period to refine his pitching form and flexibility. He is expected to join the Phoenix League in mid-October, prioritizing pitch quality over velocity.

Kosei Yoshida is transitioning back to a starting role. In a recent test appearance in the Phoenix League, Yoshida pitched five innings with nine strikeouts, marking his first start in approximately four years. While he experienced some elbow discomfort during the season, he reported reaching velocities of 150 km/h. His readiness for the starting rotation next season will be further assessed in a scheduled test appearance on October 14.

Additional pitchers Daiya Miyagi and Shunpei Yamashita are also making progress in rehabilitation following elbow surgeries performed in May. Miyagi, who underwent left elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction in the United States, is currently using weighted training balls to monitor his condition and aims to begin net throwing by the end of October, targeting a return during the latter half of next season. Yamashita, who underwent right elbow surgery, aims to resume throwing within the month. Manager Kishida noted that both are progressing steadily, though full recovery will take time.