Yomiuri Giants’ Yori Yamazaki Takes First Bullpen Step Toward Recovery

The Yomiuri Giants received a significant boost in their rotation outlook on Wednesday as ace Yori Yamazaki completed his first bullpen session since being sidelined with a right shoulder injury. The session, which took place April 15 at G-Field, marks a pivotal milestone in the 27-year-old’s journey back to the first team after a month spent with the third-team injury squad.

Yamazaki threw approximately 50 pitches, focusing primarily on his fastball, to a seated catcher. Even as the session was a controlled environment, it represents the first time the pitcher has engaged in formal bullpen operate since his departure from the active roster in mid-March.

“I still have many things to fix, including my form,” Yamazaki said following the session. “But for the first bullpen, the pitch count was good, and I was able to swing my arm and throw properly. I think I am moving forward one step at a time toward returning to games.”

A Costly Opening-Day Setback

The road to this recovery began with a sudden and disruptive setback. On March 15, the Giants announced that Yamazaki would join the third-team injury list due to “right shoulder condition failure.” The timing was critical; the announcement came less than two weeks before the season opener, creating an emergency situation for the Giants’ pitching staff.

Yamazaki had been the leading candidate to serve as the opening day starter. Manager Shinnosuke Abe had explicitly expressed his desire for Yamazaki to handle the prestigious assignment. Heading into the injury, the right-hander had looked sharp during the preseason, posting only one run allowed across three starts and nine innings of work.

His final appearance before the injury occurred on March 6 against Orix, where he dominated for four innings, allowing only two hits with no runs or walks, while topping out at 148 km/h.

The Weight of the Ace

For the Yomiuri Giants, Yamazaki is more than just a starter; he is the anchor of the rotation. Last season, he led the team with 11 wins, marking his third consecutive year recording double-digit victories. His absence has left a void in the starting rotation that the team has had to navigate during the early stages of the 2026 season.

Throughout his month of rehabilitation, Yamazaki has remained connected to the team by watching first-team games on television to visualize his return. His focus now shifts from basic rehabilitation to the technical refinement of his delivery.

“I want to play baseball in that atmosphere soon,” Yamazaki noted, referring to the energy of the first-team environment. “I will do what I need to do here and attempt to pitch [for the first team] as soon as possible.”

The Roadmap to Return

While the 50-pitch session is a positive indicator, the Giants are taking a cautious, phased approach to ensure the right shoulder is fully stable. The current plan involves several more bullpen sessions to build stamina and refine his mechanics before he progresses to live game action.

For global fans following the NPB, the return of a consistent double-digit winner like Yamazaki could shift the competitive balance of the league, providing the Giants with the stability they lacked during the opening weeks of the season.

The Giants will continue to monitor Yamazaki’s progress through further throwing sessions. The team has not yet provided a specific date for his return to game action, but the successful completion of Wednesday’s bullpen session suggests the timeline is moving in the right direction.

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