Right-hander Yoshinori Sato, absent from the Tokyo Yakult Swallows' first-team camp for the past three years due to shoulder pain, worked two scoreless innings on Sunday in his first game action of the season.
Sato's bread-and-butter fastball hit just 151 kph, but he was unable to work inside in the Swallows' 3-0 exhibition win over the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters. His fastest pitch of the day missed inside for a walk, but his velocity was all over the place. He allowed one hit and was able to get out of trouble with a slider.
"My fingers didn't have a good feel for the ball," said Sato, who was once the fastest Japanese pitcher, reaching a speed of 161 kph in 2010.
"With my fastball, I was rushing my delivery and getting in front too much. My breaking pitches were good, and I can take a positive out of being able to keep them from scoring."
Pitching coach Shingo Takatsu said he expects good things from the 25-year-old Sato.
"He's in condition to pitch," Takatsu said. "He is going to be rewarded for the work he's done."
New Swallows skipper Mitsuru Manaka, who inherited a club that has been ravaged by injuries the past three seasons, said he'd be happy to use Sato, provided he pitches well.
"If he's good, I'll definitely be able to use him," said Manaka, who will check on the condition of Sato's shoulder before scheduling him for another game.
Despite the lackluster day, Sato appeared ready for more.
"My anxieties are gradually fading," he said. "I want to find my touch and go toward Opening Day."