【Giants Spring Camp 2026 Update】

Yomiuri Giants – First Camp Session Recap

Norimoto Fires 100+ Pitches, Tanaka’s “Magic Splitter” Shows Signs of Revival

With the arrival of early spring, the Yomiuri Giants officially opened their 2026 Spring Training Camp on February 1.
The team is currently deep into the first camp session (with February 4 scheduled as a rest day), and storylines are already piling up.

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Spring Camp Overview (2026)

Team Catchphrase
Hard Work × Strong Yell = HERO
A hero is forged through relentless training and roaring support.

Season Slogan

• Forward Progress
• A clear statement of intent after last year’s 3rd-place finish: League title + first Japan Series championship in 14 years

Training Locations

• First Team: Miyazaki → Naha
• Second Team: Naha
• Third Team: Miyakonojo, Miyazaki Prefecture

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🔥 First Major Headline: Takahiro Norimoto Hits 100+ Pitches Right Away

New FA acquisition Takahiro Norimoto wasted no time making his presence felt.
From day one, he’s looked every bit like a frontline starter.

Norimoto – First Session Pitching Summary

• Feb 1 (Day 1): 55 bullpen pitches
• Feb 2: Bullpen again
• Feb 3: First pitcher of camp to exceed 100 pitches
  ➡ Total over three days: 198 pitches

Norimoto’s comment

“I was trying not to lose to Tanaka, and before I knew it, I hit 100 pitches (laughs).”

As he eyes a return to the starting rotation for the first time in three years, coaches are impressed by:

• The life on his fastball
• Improved slider and forkball precision
• In-game adjustment ability

The verdict so far: he’s ahead of schedule—and then some.

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🌀 Second Major Headline: Masahiro Tanaka’s “Magic Splitter” Is Back?

In his second season with the Giants, Masahiro Tanaka has quietly turned heads.

Tanaka – First Session Takeaways

• First pitcher in the bullpen on Day 1
• Around 55 pitches from the opening day
• His trademark splitter:
  • “Feels better than it has in years,” according to Tanaka himself

“This feels completely different from last year.
I think this might really work.”

Why the Splitter Looks Different

• Grip remains unchanged
• Major adjustments to release-point awareness
• Ball now mirrors fastball trajectory before dropping sharply at the plate

Catchers and teammates didn’t mince words:

“Disgusting.”
“That pitch is unreal.”

All signs point to a legitimate revival of Tanaka’s signature weapon.

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Manager Shinnosuke Abe’s Evaluation & Team Impact

Manager Shinnosuke Abe praised the Norimoto–Tanaka one-two punch:

• “Their presence raises the level of the entire pitching staff.”
• “They carry themselves like true warriors.”

For younger pitchers, simply watching veterans be the first into the bullpen every morning sends a powerful message about preparation and professionalism.

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Other Notable First-Session Storylines

• Richard: Flashing power as a potential post-Okamoto option
• Yoshihiro Maru: Showing strong commitment to defensive refinement
• Shosei Togo: Expressing confidence in improved pitch “heaviness”
• Farm System Reform: New second-team manager Takuro Ishii introduces a bold two-hour midday break training structure
• Community Support: ¥30 million donated across Miyazaki, Miyakonojo, and Naha

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First Session Verdict: What We’ve Learned

• Norimoto: Ahead of expectations, rotation spot virtually locked in
• Tanaka: Splitter revival makes him look like a different pitcher
• Pitching Staff: Competition and intensity have skyrocketed

Spring camp has only just begun—but one thing is already clear:

The Giants’ pitching staff is dead serious in 2026.

Next up: red-and-white games and live-game outings.
The second camp session will be must-watch baseball.

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