Ren Hirakawa Faces at Least 2½ Months Out with Ankle Fracture, Vowing to Return Stronger

Hiroshima Carp rookie outfielder Ren Hirakawa is facing another lengthy rehabilitation after suffering a fracture to his left ankle.

Hirakawa arrived at the Carp's Ono Training Facility on September 1 using crutches as he began rehabilitation following the injury.

The 22-year-old suffered the injury during pregame practice on August 30 and was diagnosed with a fracture of the lateral malleolus of his left ankle.

It is the first major leg injury of Hirakawa's baseball career.

The latest setback comes just as the young outfielder had begun working his way back toward the first team.

Hirakawa had already suffered a fracture of the hamate bone in his right hand during a game in June. After completing his rehabilitation, he returned to action in a farm-league game on August 15 and had been hoping to earn another promotion to the first team.

Instead, he now faces another period of rehabilitation.

Hirakawa is expected to need at least two and a half months to fully recover, meaning he is unlikely to be ready in time for Hiroshima's autumn training camp.

Despite the setback, Hirakawa is determined to use the time productively.

“After I fractured my hamate bone, I worked on strengthening my lower body. Now I've basically gone back to zero again, so I'm thinking about working on my upper body next.”

Rather than allowing the injury to discourage him, Hirakawa said he wants to come back better than he was before.

“I want to level up from where I was before the injury and move forward with the rest of my baseball career.”

It has been a frustrating season for Hirakawa.

The rookie opened the season in the leadoff spot for Hiroshima on Opening Day, recording his first professional hit and RBI. However, injuries and health issues have repeatedly interrupted his development.

He has appeared in 29 first-team games this season, batting .186 with one home run and 11 RBIs.

His latest injury is particularly unfortunate because his return to competitive action in August had generated renewed expectations that he could make another push for the first team.

Now, his focus shifts entirely to rehabilitation.

Missing the autumn camp will be a significant setback for a young player trying to establish himself at the professional level. But Hirakawa's determination to use the recovery period to become stronger could ultimately make the latest setback a valuable part of his development.

For now, the Carp will have to wait.

Hirakawa's next goal is not simply to return to the field—it is to return better than before.