Yakult’s Kyosuke Okugawa Faces Critical Crisis with Injuries to Elbow and Lower Body

Another Injury

Yakult pitcher Yasunobu Okugawa (23), who has no time left to establish himself in the first team, has been hit by another accident.

While participating in the first-team camp, Okugawa was scheduled to start in a practice game against Lotte on February 18 at Okinawa’s Urasoe Stadium, but he withdrew just before the game. It is believed that he experienced lower body discomfort, and instead, Taichi Yamano (25) took the mound as the starting pitcher. During the game’s middle innings, Okugawa was seen taking a taxi to the hospital for an examination.

Manager Shingo Takatsu (56) suggested a long-term absence, saying, “It seems impossible for the time being. At this point, it’s difficult to make any plans. It’s disappointing.”

“He also aimed for a full recovery last year and pitched in a practice game around this time, but he developed back pain right after. It’s likely a similar symptom this time,” said a former club member.

In high school, Okugawa was the runner-up pitcher in the summer Koshien during his third year. After being selected by Yakult as the first pick in the 2019 draft, he was expected to be the future ace and a key pillar of the pitching staff.

“However, in 2022, he injured his right leg and right elbow. The condition of his right elbow was particularly serious, and immediate treatment was needed. It was a situation where Tommy John surgery should have been performed, but Okugawa insisted on conservative treatment, saying, ‘I absolutely don’t want surgery on my elbow.’

Indeed, some players have made a comeback with conservative treatment, but Okugawa’s pitching style became ingrained with a noticeable ball spin that caused his pitches to veer. It’s likely that he developed a sidearm motion. This time as well, protecting his right elbow may have caused extra strain on his lower body,” the former member continued.

An official from the Central League commented with a sigh: “Given the overuse in high school, both his elbow and lower body are in bad shape. Recently, teams like Hiroshima and Lotte have shifted away from drafting star high school players, instead focusing on raw potential.

One of the Yakult coaches mentioned that Okugawa is afraid of long-term injury and refuses Tommy John surgery, but even without surgery, he’s been sidelined every year, so perhaps it’s time to face reality.”

In June last year, Okugawa recorded his first win in the first team in 980 days in an interleague game against Orix, breaking down in tears on the podium. The question now is, how many days will it take for him to earn his next victory?