Pitcher Naoyuki Uezawa, who signed a minor league contract with the Rays of the Major Leagues, participated in the camp as an invited player and showed off by throwing 30 pitches from the bullpen from the first day.
On the 14th, pitcher Uezawa, who is aiming to advance from a minor league contract to the major leagues, participated as an invited player in the Rays' battery group camp that began in Port Charlotte, Florida.
Pitcher Uezawa warmed up by stretching from around 10am.
After that, he entered the bullpen from the first day and threw 30 pitches with about 70% to 80% power, mixing in all his pitches such as fastballs, sliders, changeups, and curveballs.
Pitcher Uezawa said, ``I was excited to be able to play baseball on American soil, and I had a really good day.''He added, ``First of all, I have to make a lot of effort to promote my game, and I'm looking forward to getting promoted to the major leagues.'' I just want to get results if I enter.I enjoy competing, but I want to win in that competition,'' he said enthusiastically.
Tigers Kenta Maeda ``Prepare to contribute to victory''
Also, on this day, pitcher Kenta Maeda, who was transferred to the Tigers as a free agent during the off-season, also had his first day of camp in Lakeland, Florida.
Pitcher Maeda showed up at the field around 11 a.m. and after stretching, he worked up a sweat for about two hours playing catch and practicing fielding.
Pitcher Maeda said, ``I was a little nervous because it was a new team, but I had fun.There are a lot of players I know from the same area as the Twins, which I played for until last year, so I was able to fit into the team more easily than I expected, and I also liked the team colors.'' I think it suits me better," she said with a smile, looking back on her first day.
He then said, ``Since I received an offer from a young team, I want to prepare well so that I can contribute to the team's victory as we aim for the world championship while also aiming for career highs as an individual.'' I felt refreshed.