Orix Buffaloes Pitcher Ryuhei Sotani Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
Orix Buffaloes pitcher Ryuhei Sotani underwent Tommy John surgery on October 23, 2026. The left-hander faces rehab with no confirmed return date.
World Baseball News Editorial Team , 1 min read 
OSAKA, Japan — Orix Buffaloes left-hander Ryuhei Sotani underwent Tommy John surgery on his left elbow on Friday, October 23, according to the club. The operation is a significant offseason setback for Orix as it plans its pitching staff for the 2027 Nippon Professional Baseball season.
The procedure, performed at a hospital in Saga Prefecture, reconstructed the ulnar collateral ligament in Sotani’s throwing elbow. The club said he would spend approximately one week in hospital before beginning rehabilitation aimed at a return to competitive baseball. No firm return date has been announced. Sotani made 14 appearances in 2026, going 5-8 with a 4.14 ERA.
An extended recovery ahead for Orix
Sotani’s season had already been interrupted on September 17, when he left an appearance against the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks because of an elbow problem. The decision to undergo ligament reconstruction now creates uncertainty over when the left-hander can rejoin the Buffaloes’ rotation.
Tommy John surgery typically involves a lengthy rehabilitation process for pitchers, but individual recovery times vary. Without a club-issued timetable, it would be premature to project a specific month for Sotani’s return.
The Buffaloes finished fourth in the Pacific League in 2026. Sotani’s absence adds to the pitching questions they must address before next season, particularly with the team seeking to close the gap on the league’s top clubs.
