If I'm reading the Nikkan Sports site correctly, Shimootori's problem
is a herniated disk. The story has works for "Lumbar vertebrae" and
"intervertebral disk" and "hernia" in katakana. Depending on how
severe it is and how it's treated or if it can be corrected, he could
be next on the retired list.
Jim
"Chitose-Taikai"