The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles announced Tuesday that manager Senichi Hoshino has begun his rehabilitation following back surgery.

Hoshino has been on a leave of absence since May 26. The team did not disclose when the surgery took place. The 67-year-old suffers from a condition that affects his thoracic vertebrae and is known medically as ossification of the ligamentum flavum. It has resulted in the hardening of the ligaments near his spine.

“I’ve had the privilege of speaking to him directly,” Eagles president Yozo Tachibana said.

“He spoke with vigor, so I was relieved.”