Yakult Swallows pitcher Taichi Yamano (27) is set for a crucial rematch against Hanshin Tigers’ Haruto Takahashi on June 13. The left-hander, who currently leads the Central League with five wins, has only one loss on his record — a defeat by Takahashi on April 29. “If I get another chance to face Takahashi, I want to win,” Yamano said, expressing his determination for redemption. The showdown between the league’s top two teams could turn into a pitchers’ duel.
In other team news, catcher Yudai Koga (27) and Kanata Suzuki (20) were named last week’s MVPs for their standout performances on both offense and defense. Koga went 2-for-4 with a go-ahead RBI triple and two RBIs in the August game against Hiroshima, while Suzuki hit his first professional home run — a go-ahead three-run shot — in a game against the Giants. Infielder Hideki Nagaoka (24) is progressing well in his recovery from an injury that landed him on the disabled list on April 30, and could return soon. Outfielder Keigo Kitamura (25) was also removed from the active roster on June 11 but may be reinstated on June 12 without a rehab assignment.
