Daichi Osera Looks Like His Old Self Again With Dominant Three-Strikeout Appearance

Daichi Osera is starting to look like his old self again.

The 35-year-old Hiroshima Carp veteran delivered a dominant relief appearance against the Yomiuri Giants on September 4, striking out three consecutive batters in the seventh inning despite the Carp trailing by three runs.

Osera opened the inning by blowing a 149 km/h fastball past Shunsuke Sasaki for a swinging strikeout.

He then needed only three pitches to strike out Raito Nakayama looking.

Osera finished the inning by getting pinch-hitter Masaya Hagio to swing through a 141 km/h cutter, completing a perfect three-strikeout inning.

It was an impressive display from the oldest pitcher on Hiroshima's staff, particularly given how difficult his season had been.

Osera underwent the fourth surgery of his career on his right elbow last October. He then suffered a right calf injury in March, delaying the start of his season.

After making his season debut as a starter against the Yakult Swallows on April 22, Osera allowed two runs over five innings. His next start against the DeNA BayStars on May 4 was much more difficult, as he was pulled before completing the third inning after giving up six runs.

He subsequently spent an extended period with the farm team trying to regain his form.

For a pitcher who had spent virtually his entire career as a starter, the move to the bullpen represents a major change. Osera's last significant stint as a reliever came all the way back in 2016, meaning he is returning to a role he has not regularly filled in roughly a decade.

But the change may be exactly what he needed.

With Hiroshima's bullpen short on reliable options, Osera was recalled to the first team on August 30 as a relief pitcher.

He immediately showed signs of improvement. After throwing a scoreless inning against the Chunichi Dragons on September 2, he followed that performance with three straight strikeouts against Yomiuri.

The shorter outings appear to be allowing Osera to attack hitters with greater intensity and maximize his velocity and stuff.

The Carp are currently fifth in the Central League and trail third-place DeNA by 4.5 games. With Hiroshima still within striking distance of a Climax Series berth, the return of an experienced veteran to the bullpen could prove extremely valuable down the stretch.

Osera's revival has also caught the attention of Carp fans on social media.

“Osera is completely back.”

“Osera coming back as a reliever is so exciting.”

“His fastball was absolutely nasty.”

“Why does he look this cool?”

“You can only say that he's on another level.”

“Seriously, he looks like his prime again.”

After years of establishing himself as a dependable starter, Osera may have found a new way to contribute to Hiroshima's postseason push.

At 35, the veteran right-hander is showing that there may still be plenty left in the tank.