Hanshin left-handed pitcher Kotaro Otake entered the bullpen for the first time on the 10th, the 8th day of camp. This off-season, he has been pitching since treatment to remove a benign tumor found in his left shoulder, and expressed his determination, saying, ``I think I'll be in time for the season opener because it's getting better.'' I hope I can continue to work on it positively.''
Left-handed pitcher Otake, who has been in his seventh year as a professional pitcher, joined Hanshin in the active draft from Softbank last season and led the team with 12 wins, contributing greatly to the league championship and Japan's No. 1 title. A tumor was found and treated to remove it.
Due to that, I haven't pitched in so far at camp.
He continued to adjust at a slow pace and entered the bullpen for the first time in the 10th.
I pitched 33 pitches, which he said were ``a bit restrained,'' while checking the sensation in his left shoulder.
Pitcher Otake said, ``I wasn't able to pitch much last month, so it was like being on a track and field team.I'm so happy that I can finally play baseball.I'm getting better day by day, so I think I'll be able to make it in time for Opening Day.'' I spoke.
Pitcher Otake revealed that one of the factors behind his great success last season was that he was able to see things in a positive light, and vows to do everything in his power to win back-to-back championships.
Pitcher Otake said, ``If we don't misunderstand the meaning of humility, and instead take confidence in what we were able to do in our first year, we can work forward.Last year, I had a few withdrawals in the middle, so I completed the entire year without falling out of the rotation.'' "I want to do it. I want to do it so that I can play an important role in winning consecutive championships," he said of his determination.