In a recent warm-up match against Chunichi, Japan's starting pitcher Daiki Ito struggled, allowing two runs over three innings, highlighting some concerns as the World Baseball Classic (WBC) approaches. While he expressed the need to refine his approach, especially in avoiding home runs, he remains optimistic about fulfilling his role in the tournament. The Japanese team, led by notable pitchers like Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yusei Kikuchi, faces strict pitch count regulations: 65 pitches in the first round, with increasing limits in later rounds. This stresses the importance of having a solid backup or 'second starter' to support the primary pitchers.

Ito is expected to play a crucial role as a secondary option, alongside pitchers like Daima Miyagi, who recently demonstrated impressive performance by pitching three hitless innings. At 28, Ito reflects on his previous WBC experience where he was solely in a relief role, noting a significant growth in his confidence and independent decision-making for this year's challenge. Looking ahead to the tournament, he is committed to being versatile and ready to contribute in whatever capacity necessary to bolster Japan's chances in the competition.