Hanshin pitcher Atsuki Yuasa has 2nd surgery for intractable disease, discharged
In short
Hanshin said on Oct 6 that pitcher Atsuki Yuasa had surgery for an intractable disease and was discharged the same day from a hospital in Fukushima Prefecture. It was his second operation for the condition, after the same procedure in August 2024, and he pitched 25 games this season with three wins and a 3.33 ERA. Yuasa said his physical discomfort had grown since around the summer and that he chose surgery so he could head into next season in full condition.
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Hanshin said on Oct 6 that pitcher Atsuki Yuasa had undergone surgery and had been discharged the same day from a hospital in Fukushima Prefecture. Nippon TV News reported the procedure was completed successfully, and Sankei Shimbun gave his age as 27. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The procedure was an endoscopic resection of thoracic ossification of the yellow ligament, according to the club's announcement. The documents describe the condition as an intractable disease designated by the national government. Sankei Shimbun reported it was the second time Yuasa had the operation, after the same surgery in August 2024. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Sankei Shimbun reported that Yuasa pitched in 25 games this season, with three wins and a 3.33 ERA, and that his last first-team appearance was against DeNA in Yokohama on Aug 23. [ 2 ]
Yuasa said his physical discomfort had grown stronger from around this summer and that it became difficult for him to raise his performance. “I tried various things, but it did not improve, and after worrying about it I decided to have surgery so that I can head into next season in full condition,” he said. [ 1 , 2 ]
He thanked the manager, club officials and the doctors and trainers who had stayed with him through the operation. He said he would rehabilitate properly so that he could pitch energetically again and contribute to the team. [ 1 , 2 ]
Yuasa noted in his comment that the surgery came at an important time as the team fights toward the championship, and thanked the manager and club officials for understanding and supporting his decision. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The operation is the second for the same intractable disease, and Yuasa says his focus is on being ready for next season, which affects Hanshin's pitching plans. Yuasa himself noted the surgery came during an important period for a team he said is fighting for the championship. The story's relevance outside Japan is limited to followers of Nippon Professional Baseball.
Key facts
- Hanshin announced on Oct 6 that pitcher Atsuki Yuasa had surgery and was discharged the same day from a hospital in Fukushima Prefecture. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The procedure was an endoscopic resection of thoracic ossification of the yellow ligament. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The documents describe the condition as an intractable disease designated by the national government. [ 1 , 2 ]
- It was the second time Yuasa had the same operation, after surgery in August 2024. [ 2 ]
- Yuasa pitched in 25 games this season with three wins and a 3.33 ERA, and his last first-team appearance was against DeNA in Yokohama on Aug 23. [ 2 ]
- Yuasa said his physical discomfort grew stronger from around this summer and did not improve. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Yuasa thanked the manager, club officials and the doctors and trainers who stayed with him through the surgery, and said he would rehabilitate and pitch again. [ 1 , 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Where in Fukushima Prefecture the hospital is located All documents say only that the hospital is in Fukushima Prefecture; no city or town is given.
- Yuasa's age, given as 27 Stated by Sankei Shimbun only; the other documents do not mention it.
- When Yuasa will return to pitching The documents give no timetable; Yuasa says only that he will rehabilitate and aims to be ready for next season.
- Hanshin announced on Oct 6 that pitcher Atsuki Yuasa had surgery and was discharged from a hospital in Fukushima Prefecture the same day. Reported by a single source so far
- The condition is described as an intractable disease designated by the national government. Reported by a single source so far
- Yuasa said his physical discomfort increased from around the summer and did not improve. Reported by a single source so far