Hiroshima Carp outfielder Tamura Shunsuke (22) has been called up to the first team for the first time in a year. The previous day, during the match against Yakult on the 10th, Akiyama left the game due to an injury. He was removed from the active roster with left hamstring pain. In his place, Tamura is expected to be promoted to the first team. Having been off the first-team roster since May 12 of last year, Tamura said with a sense of urgency, “I see this chance as my last one, and I want to give it my all.” He joined the first team with that mindset.
The promising star, who started on opening day in his third year out of high school in 2024, had not managed to secure a regular spot until last season. This season, he spent spring camp with the second team and entered the opening season without being called up. As of April 18, his batting average had slumped to .209. Returning to basics, he adjusted his timing to take earlier swings and maintain an aggressive approach, which improved his hitting. Over the last six games in the farm league, he recorded hits in all of them, raising his average to .305.
Although many young fielders were given opportunities late last season, Tamura was not called up to the first team. This season, he fell behind rookies from the same draft class—No. 1 pick Hirakawa Ren (outfielder, 22) and No. 3 pick Katsuda Naru (infielder, 22). “I can’t keep staying in the second team. I want to join them and focus on winning,” he said, with a growing sense of urgency. Seizing the opportunity that arose from the injury of a key player, he aims to use this as a stepping stone to regain a permanent spot in the first team.
