[Orix Buffaloes] Yuki Udagawa, a member of the Japanese national team in the 2013 WBC, is currently in the process of undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow in March 2013, saying, “I want everyone to think that it was a good thing that I came back.”
Sports Hochi
March 1, 2026 05:00
Orix Buffaloes Yuki Udagawa pitcher (27) promised on the 28th that he will be back in perfect shape. The right-hander, who represented Japan in the WBC in 2011 and was the world’s No. 1 player, has a bright future ahead of him. He envisioned a bright future. bullpen
“I want to make them think it was a good thing that I came back. I want to do well in the first team.” In bullpen on February 26th, he recorded a speed of 143 km/h. From now on, he plans to shorten the intervals between pitch practice and “throw a small number of pitches with all his might,” as he prepares to be a relief pitcher. Yoshida, who underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow around the same time, has already returned to action. “I’m not in a hurry, but it was a good stimulus,” he said, indicating his intention to continue.
If all goes well, he is scheduled to return to action in late March. “I will continue to do things at my own pace,” he emphasized. He regularly throws a fastball over 150 km/h and a deadly fork. He is steadily moving forward. (Toru Nagata)