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Thursday's practice game against the Orix Buffaloes at Hotto Motte Kobe (Lions 4 - Buffaloes 4): Tatsuya Oishi topped out at 137km/h during his practice game outing against the Orix Buffaloes on Thursday.  He also threw fifty-four pitches. [Nikkan Sports, Sports Hochi]

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The Lions worked out in the indoor training facilities at Koshien today after their exhibition game against the Hanshin Tigers was rained out.  Kazuhisa Ishii, who was scheduled to start today's game, ended up tossing a bullpen session instead.  He is also now scheduled to pitch in a Kyoiku League game against Lotte on March 11.

Today's practice game against the Orix Buffaloes at Hotto Motte Kobe (Lions 4 - Buffaloes 4): Tatsuya Oishi started the game and allowed four runs on six hits over four innings of work. [Sanspo] ... Hideto Asamura hit a two-run homer to left in the 2nd inning. [Seibu Lions]

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Shogo Akiyama returned to Tokyo (from Kobe) today because of some discomfort in his left hamstring.  He will begin workouts at Seibu 2 Stadium on Friday.

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Takeya Nakamura did not taking bating batting or fielding practice today after twisting his left ankle during an exhibition game against the Rakuten Eagles on Wednesday.  He did not play in today's practice game against the Orix Buffaloes, but is expected to play in the charity game on March 10.

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The Lions announced today that Kimiyasu Kudo will be a guest at Seibu Dome on April 7 (vs Softbank) and will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

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The Lions currently have twenty pitchers at Ichi-gun camp.  They have six games over the next week or so and will drop that down to twelve.

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Tatsuya Oishi planned to throw about fifty pitches in the bullpen today but kept pitching because he felt good.

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Hisanobu Watanabe spent some time coaching younger pitchers in the bullpen today.

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The Ni-gun Lions had the day off today.

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Today was the last day of the second block of spring camp for the Ichi-gun Lions.  The team has the day off tomorrow.

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Potential candidates for the starting rotation: Hideaki Wakui, Takayuki Kishi, Fumiya Nishiguchi, Kazuhisa Ishii, Kazuhisa Makita, Yusei Kikuchi, Tatsuya Oishi, 1st round draft pick Ken Togame, and 2nd round draft pick Hirotaka Koishi.

The team had the day off today.

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Kazuhisa Makita took a 3.6km walk around the player hotel earlier today.  Makita was diagnosed with the flu on Friday and was given permission to go outdoors after his fever dropped.  He should be able to start working out again tomorrow.

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1st round draft pick Ken Togame and 2nd round draft pick Hirotaka Koishi went sightseeing on their day off today.  Their day included a tuna cut and clean demonstration and picking dekopons (citrus fruit) and kumquats.

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Fumikazu Kimura faced two batters during batting practice on Friday and allowed three could-be hits on 46 pitches.

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Tatsuya Oishi and Yusei Kikuchi will be starters for an intra-squad game on February 12.

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Today was the end of the first block of spring camp for the Lions. The team has the day off tomorrow.

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The Lions received 150 food items, like lunch boxes, rice balls, and bread, from Minami Kyushu Family Mart before practice today.

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The media presented Takeya Nakamura, Shogo Akiyama, and Takumi Kuriyama with a giant 50cm long eho-maki that weighed seven kilograms.

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Hiroyuki Nakajima and Takeya Nakamura took extra fielding practice with fielding/base-running coach Hiroshi Narahara today.

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Tatsuya Oishi, Yusei Kikuchi, and Fumikazu Kimura tossed batting practice today:

Oishi threw thirty-nine pitches and faced Yuji Onizaki and Mitsugu Ishikawa and gave up three could-be hits.

Kikuchi threw 41 pitches and faced Shogo Akiyama and Ryo Hayashizaki and gave up three could-be hits.

Kimura broke two of Hideto Asamura's bats.

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Hisanobu Watanabe was surprised at how big Kikuchi's lower body (particularly the thighs and buttocks) got during the off-season.  Kikuchi has also modified his delivery and is throwing over the top, instead of at around three-quarters.

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Nakajima and Nakamura also took fielding practice under a net about one meter off the ground during their extra session with fielding/base-running coach Narahara.

The first day of camp began at 9am with an welcoming ceremony at Nango Stadium.

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Fumiya Nishiguchi had to borrow Hideaki Wakui's uniform after forgetting that he was scheduled to toss a bullpen session.

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Kazuhisa Makita has the flu and missed the first day of spring camp.  Makita was not feeling well on Tuesday and was examined at a hospital.  He was diagnosed with the influenza A virus.

Makita has been isolated away from the rest of the players and will most likely miss a few days of practice.

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Hisanobu Watanabe is excited about both Yusei Kikuchi and Tatsuya Oishi, which could be especially significant for the two young pitchers since no one has a guaranteed spot in the starting rotation right now.

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Bullpen sessions:

Wednesday

Oishi threw 113 pitches while receiving advice from pitching coach Tadashi Sugimoto.

The Lions released their roster assignments for spring camp today.

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The Lions announced the following position changes for the player register today: Tomohito Yoneno (catcher to outfielder) and 3rd round draft pick Hitoto Komazuki (catcher to outfielder).

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Tatsuya Oishi threw about 50 pitches in the bullpen today (standing and half-standing catcher).  This was his second bullpen session in as many days.

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Takeya Nakamura took 130 swings over about 40 minutes during his BP session with Yataro Sakamoto on Monday.

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Sanspo's list of possible candidates for the starting rotation: Hideaki Wakui, Takayuki Kishi, Fumiya Nishiguchi, Kazuhisa Ishii, Kazuhisa Makita, Yusei Kikuchi, Oishi, and Enrique Gonzalez.

Hisanobu Watanabe also told reporters that 1st round draft pick Ken Togame and 2nd round draft pick Hirotaka Koishi will begin their pro careers as starters (that could change based on how they perform).

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Former Lion Kimiyasu Kudo will be a commentator for Bunka Hoso's Lions' Nighter this year.

The Seibu Lions decided to take Tatsuya Oishi (1st round) off the active roster after the righty complained of right shoulder discomfort before today's game against the Softbank Hawks (Yahoo Dome).  The move will be announced tomorrow and Brian Sikorski will be called up in his place.

Oishi is scheduled to return to Tokyo tomorrow so that he can get the shoulder checked out.