Overview
- Fujikawa confirmed Saturday that Ishii will move from the bullpen into the starting rotation, a change announced as Hanshin began autumn training at the indoor facility beside Koshien.
- The decision formalizes a plan Fujikawa has discussed since 2025 and is meant to let Ishii use his strong pitch control and 150+ km/h fastball over more innings.
- Ishii, 29, brings elite relief credentials including a professional record of 50 consecutive scoreless appearances and a 0.17 ERA in a 53-game season.
- Hanshin plans to manage Ishii’s workload carefully because he ruptured his left Achilles in spring camp, returned this year but made only 12 appearances.
- The club frames the conversion as part of offseason conditioning to boost stamina and depth as it prepares to pursue a third straight league title next season.