[Orix Buffaloes] Kotaro Kobayashi returns to the bench after three games; his left leg, injured in the Hanshin Tigers, shows no signs of trouble… starting line-up announced
Sports Hochi
June 19, 2026 17:26
◆ Pacific League: Orix Buffaloes vs. Seibu Lions (19th, Kyocera Dome Osaka)
Orix Buffaloes ‘starting line-up has been announced. They are currently in third place, 5.5 games behind league leaders Seibu Lions, and Kurebayashi has been included in the bench roster for the first time in three games. He injured his left leg in the game against Hanshin Tigers on the 12th (Kyocera Dome Osaka) and missed the last two games of the interleague series. At the team practice on the 18th, he faced Soya and Takashima in live batting practice and emphasized, “There are absolutely no problems with the condition of the injured area. It has healed completely.”
In his seventh professional season, he led the team with eight Home Run as the starting short stop. On this day, when the league season resumed, he was initially on standby, ready to play during the game. Shortstop was occupied by Sei Yokoyama, the 2023 first-round draft pick.
[Orix Buffaloes]
1st batter, DH Nishikawa
2nd batter, left fielder: Yamanaka
Number 3, First Baseman: Ota
4th batter, center fielder Nakagawa
No. 5, second baseman Nishino
Number 6, third baseman Mune
Number 7, right fielder Kita
Number 8, catcher Wakatsuki
Number 9, Shortstop: Sei Yokoyama
Starting pitcher: Espinoza
AloJapan.com