Morishita Set to Rejoin First Team After Strong Farm Performance

Hiroshima Toyo Carp pitcher Masato Morishita is expected to return to the first-team roster after successfully completing his adjustment period in the farm league.

The 28-year-old brought his equipment to Mazda Stadium on August 4, signaling his expected return ahead of the upcoming series against the Yokohama DeNA BayStars.

Morishita has endured an inconsistent 2026 season, posting a 5–6 record with a 4.52 ERA. He was sent to the farm team on July 11 for an indefinite period of adjustment after several difficult outings.

During that time, Morishita focused on rebuilding his mechanics and regaining confidence in his fastball.

His hard work paid off on July 31, when he threw seven scoreless innings against the Hanshin Tigers’ farm team.

Following that outing, Morishita expressed confidence in his progress.

“My fastball has become a pitch I can truly challenge hitters with again.”

The Carp are expected to have Morishita start one of the games in this weekend’s three-game series against the BayStars.

With Hiroshima looking to climb the Central League standings in the second half of the season, the return of one of the club’s most dependable starting pitchers could provide a significant boost.