At the Samurai Japan training camp, Yu Darvish, an advisor to the team and a major league pitcher, expressed interest in Yuki Matsumoto, a first-time selection for the World Baseball Classic (WBC). Matsumoto entered the bullpen early on the first day of camp and pitched a total of 32 balls, including fastballs, sliders, curves, and forkballs, while under Darvish's watchful eye. They engaged in a discussion post-pitching about data and insights on Matsumoto's performance, which seemed to enhance his confidence as noted in his reflection on his four-seam fastball.

Japan's bullpen is facing challenges with the recent injuries of key pitchers Kaima Hirano and Daichi Ishii, leading to their withdrawals from the representative team. This situation presents an opportunity for Matsumoto, who is regarded as a significant contender for more crucial game situations as he has previously played over 50 games in three consecutive seasons, earning recognition as the Pacific League's best middle reliever last season. With strong experience in domestic games, the looming question is whether Matsumoto can perform at a high level in the international stage, given this will be his first experience in such competitions.

Darvish highlighted Matsumoto's unique pitching style, noting his low release point that creates a high hop effect and his ability to generate drop with his split-finger pitch. This special talent has been praised as a rarity in Major League Baseball, indicating a distinctive advantage. The pressure now lies on the 29-year-old Matsumoto to elevate his game and respond effectively in high-stakes situations, adding excitement to the potential for him to emerge as a key player for Japan amidst the current challenges they face in the lead-up to the tournament.