Yuki Saito worked out at Kamagaya today with high socks.  He is scheduled to start Friday's game against the Yokohama Bay Stars.

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Tomohiro Nioka had a pinch-hit at bat during a Kyoiku League game on Tuesday and collected a single to left.  Assuming his right calf is ok, he could be called up to Ichi-gun as early as Friday.

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Tuesday's Kyoiku League game against Rakuten at Kamagaya: Atsunori Inaba started at first and batted third.  He went 0-for-1: HBP, fly out to right. [Sponichi]

====== UPDATE 3/15 @ 12:13am

Shota Ono returned to the starting line-up during Wednesday's game against the Chunichi Dragons.  It was his first game since injuring his left knee during a close play at home plate in a game against the Yakult Swallows on March 3.

When Brett Harper (YOK) struck out in the top of the 8th inning, he accidentally hit Shota Ono in the head with his back-swing.  Ono didn't want to give Harper the base, so he quickly threw off his mask, picked up the ball, and completed the play at first.  Shortly thereafter, he crumpled to the ground in pain with blood coming down his head.

Ono was taken off the field on a stretcher and sent to the hospital after the game.  Tests did not reveal any damage to the brain, but Ono did require 4 stitches to close a gash on his head.  He is considered day-to-day for the time being.

Shota Ono will be working out alone at a stadium in Sukumo, Kochi between 1/7 and 1/14.  His workouts will be closed off to everyone other than the acquaintance that helped him secure the stadium.  He's also hoping to catch more games in 2011.

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The Fighters are considering whether or not they should extend their "It's Sho(w) Time!" home run discount next season.

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The Fighters apparently hired an interpreter for Wirfin Obispo that looks like kabuki actor Ichikawa Ebizo.

Sho Nakata got a 6M yen raise yesterday and will be making 18M yen next season.  He also told reporters that he plans to revert back to his "old self" after spending most of last year trying to tone things down a little.  It seems that may also be dependent on his performance on the field.

Said Nakata, "I'm just laying low right now...  I think it's cool when you can say what you want and do what you want while putting up the numbers [to back]."

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Each year the Nippon Ham Fighters schedule four Ni-gun home in Hokkaido.  Next year, they want fans to decide where in Hokkaido those four games should take place.

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Shota Ono apparently filed marriage papers with a woman named Rieko (梨衣子) earlier today.