SHOGO AKIYAMA NEWS

Returns to Japan Akiyama agreed Sunday with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball on a three-year contract, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact A return to his native Japan always looked to be a likely outcome for Akiyama after he opted out of his minor-league contract with the Padres earlier this month. The 34-year-old outfielder signed a three-year, $21 million contract with the Reds in January 2020, but he never made much of a splash in North America. He didn't appear in any MLB games in 2022 and slashed .224/.320/.274 across 366 career plate appearances with Cincinnati.

JUNE 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Opts out of deal with Padres Akiyama is opting out of his minor-league deal with the Padres and may be headed overseas to continue his career, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact Sanders didn't explicitly say Akiyama was headed overseas, but he mentioned Aderlin Rodriguez and Ian Krol as other Padres who have opted to make that move this season. Akiyama had been on the COVID-19 injured list and out of action since June 3. He had three home runs and a .907 OPS in 16 games with Triple-A El Paso.

JUNE 16, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Minors: Shogo Akiyama hits first El Paso homer; Esteury Ruiz's streak hits 38 games Rounding up the action at the Padres’ minor league affiliates

MAY 15, 2022 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Signs minors deal with Padres Akiyama agreed to a minor-league contract with the Padres on Saturday, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Akiyama has shown decent defense in center field in his two seasons in the majors and has made a fair amount of contact, but his complete lack of power makes him unexciting as even a bench option. He has zero homers and a 0.8 percent barrel rate in 366 career plate appearances, leading to a .224/.320/.274 slash line.

APRIL 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cut loose by Cincinnati The Reds released Akiyama on Tuesday.

Impact After Cincinnati informed Akiyama over the weekend that he wouldn't be part of the team's Opening Day roster, the 33-year-old had the ability to decline being optioned to Triple-A Louisville. Akiyama appears to have done just that, and after no other team was willing to acquire him at an $8 million salary for 2022, Cincinnati has elected to cut bait with the outfielder entirely. Though Akiyama has produced a disappointing .224/.320/.274 slash line in 366 plate appearances since signing with the Reds ahead of the 2020 season, his solid defense and baserunning could prompt another club to bring him aboard as a fourth or fifth outfielder on a more palatable salary. Akiyama could also choose to pursue opportunities in his native Japan if he doesn't find any MLB offers to his liking.

APRIL 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reds tell veteran Akiyama he won't make opening day roster GOODYEAR, Ariz. — The Cincinnati Reds informed Shogo Akiyama on Sunday that he would not make the opening day roster, leaving him to decide...

APRIL 3, 2022 • DAYTONDAILYNEWS.COM

Two years after arriving to great fanfare, Shogo Akiyama's time on the Reds concludes in quiet disappointment Akiyama will be paid $8 million this season, but his time with the Reds' major league club is almost certainly over.

APRIL 3, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Reds tell OF Akiyama he won't make opening day roster

The Cincinnati Reds have informed Shogo Akiyama on Sunday that he would not make the opening day roster, leaving him to decide whether he’ll go down to Triple-A or become a free ag...

APRIL 3, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Misses Opening Day roster The Reds informed Akiyama on Sunday he won't make the Opening Day roster, C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Akiyama has a .594 OPS in 142 games since signing a three-year, $21 million contract with the Reds in January of 2020, and he didn't show enough during spring training to warrant a roster spot to begin the 2022 campaign. The 33-year-old could refuse his assignment to Triple-A Louisville -- which he did last season -- in which case Cincinnati will need to designate him for assignment by Thursday's season opener.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reds roster projection 2.0: One week out, a surprising amount is up in the air Will Shogo Akiyama retain his roster spot? Will Nick Lodolo make the rotation? Even a week out, much is unsettled.

MARCH 31, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

'He doesn't have anything to prove': Where Reds OF Shogo Akiyama stands on the roster Shogo Akiyama recognizes that he hasn't played well enough over the last two seasons. As a result, he has started to tweak his approach.

MARCH 20, 2022 • CINCINNATI.COM

Akiyama adjusts as he enters pivotal Spring Training GOODYEAR, Ariz. -- There was a lot of sensation around outfielder Shogo Akiyama when the Japanese player joined the Reds and signed a three-...

MARCH 20, 2022 • MLB.COM

Reports to camp healthy Akiyama arrived at camp Saturday and said he's fully recovered from the hamstring injury that sidelined him at the end of last season, Charlie Goldsmith of The Cincinnati Enquirer...

Impact The hamstring issue also sent Akiyama to the injured list early in the year, and he wasn't close to good enough when healthy, hitting .204/.282/.253 in 88 games. The 33-year-old hasn't made a case for consistent playing time and is unlikely to provide much fantasy value even if the Reds decide they need his glove in center field on a regular basis.

MARCH 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reds see bright spots in 2021 despite late-season fade

The Cincinnati Reds fell apart down the stretch and fell out of playoff contention but there were more than a few positive developments this season

OCTOBER 4, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Keller expected to start as Pittsburgh hosts Cincinnati

The Pirates are expected to send Mitch Keller to the mound Sunday and the Reds will give Reiver Sanmartin the start

OCTOBER 3, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Kranick expected to start as Pittsburgh hosts Cincinnati

The Pirates are expected to send Max Kranick to the mound Saturday and the Reds will give Tyler Mahle the start

OCTOBER 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Crowe expected to start for the Pirates against the Reds

The Pirates will send Wil Crowe to the mound Friday and the Reds plan to give Luis Castillo the start

OCTOBER 1, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rodon scheduled to start as Chicago hosts Cincinnati

The Reds will start Sonny Gray on Wednesday while the White Sox are expected to counter with Carlos Rodon

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Won't return in 2021 Akiyama (hamstring) won't return this season, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Akiyama sustained a right hamstring strain in mid-September, and manager David Bell revealed Tuesday that none of the team's players on the injured list will return prior to the end of the year. The 33-year-old hit .204 with eight doubles, 16 runs, 12 RBI and two stolen bases across 88 appearances in 2021.

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

O'Brien scheduled to start for Reds at White Sox

The White Sox will send Reynaldo Lopez to the mound Tuesday and the Reds will give Riley O'Brien the start

SEPTEMBER 28, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mahle expected to start as Reds host the Nationals

The Reds are expected to send Tyler Mahle to the mound Sunday and the Nationals plan to give Josh Rogers the start

SEPTEMBER 26, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Fedde scheduled to start for Nationals at Reds

The Nationals will start Erick Fedde on Saturday while the Reds are expected to counter with Vladimir Gutierrez

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Corbin expected to start for the Nationals against Reds

The Nationals will start Patrick Corbin on Thursday while the Reds are expected to counter with Luis Castillo

SEPTEMBER 23, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Mahle expected to start as Cincinnati hosts Pittsburgh

The Pirates will start Mitch Keller on Tuesday and the Reds are expected to counter with Tyler Mahle

SEPTEMBER 21, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gutierrez expected to start as Reds host the Pirates

The Pirates will start Dillon Peters on Monday and the Reds are expected to counter with Vladimir Gutierrez

SEPTEMBER 20, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS