Ryoji Kuribayashi's Move to the Starting Rotation Pays Off as Former Ace Saito Masaki Praises His New Approach

Hiroshima Carp right-hander Ryoji Kuribayashi's move from the bullpen to the starting rotation appears to be paying major dividends.

Kuribayashi started against the Chunichi Dragons on August 20 and delivered another strong performance, throwing eight innings on just 97 pitches while allowing five hits and one run.

The outing was the latest example of how well Kuribayashi has adapted to his new role.

Kuribayashi spent the early part of his professional career as Hiroshima's closer and established himself as one of the most dominant relievers in NPB. However, the Carp moved him into the starting rotation this season in an attempt to make better use of his abilities.

So far, the experiment has been a major success.

Through 13 starts, Kuribayashi has recorded 10 quality starts, a 5–4 record and an impressive 2.04 ERA.

His latest performance was discussed on Fuji TV ONE's Professional Baseball News 2026, where former professional players Kenichi Yazawa and Masaki Saito analyzed the right-hander's transformation.

Saito, who was one of the most successful starting pitchers in Yomiuri Giants history, focused not only on Kuribayashi's numbers but also on his demeanor on the mound.

“I've always thought this when watching him, but he looks like he's really enjoying pitching.”

Saito compared Kuribayashi's current appearance with his time as a closer.

“When he was a closer, he had this sense of tension and seriousness about him. Now he looks like he's really enjoying himself.”

According to Saito, that change in attitude may be one of the reasons Kuribayashi has been able to produce such strong results as a starter.

The difference is understandable.

As a closer, Kuribayashi entered games in extremely high-pressure situations, often with the entire outcome of the game resting on the final three outs. As a starter, he has been able to settle into games, use his full arsenal and build a rhythm over several innings.

The results have been striking.

Kuribayashi has not simply survived the transition to starting. He has become one of Hiroshima's most reliable pitchers.

His 10 quality starts in 13 appearances demonstrate how consistently he has been able to give the Carp length and keep them in games.

That durability is especially valuable for Hiroshima this season, with the team's bullpen having been heavily used due to a number of short starts.

Kuribayashi's ability to regularly pitch six or more innings could therefore have an impact far beyond his individual statistics.

And perhaps most importantly, he appears to be enjoying the role.

For a pitcher who once carried the enormous pressure of being Hiroshima's closer, seeing Kuribayashi pitch with a more relaxed and confident demeanor could be just as encouraging as his 2.04 ERA.

The experiment that initially looked like a major change in his career has increasingly begun to look like a smart move by the Carp.

Kuribayashi isn't just becoming a successful starter—he looks like he's having fun doing it.