SHOGO AKIYAMA NEWS

Goldschmidt, Arenado deliver, Cards open fast, top Reds 11-6

Paul Goldschmidt and newcomer Nolan Arenado combined for six hits in a boosted St. Louis lineup, and the Cardinals roughed up Luis Castillo for six runs in the first inning to beat...

APRIL 2, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Placed on 10-day IL Akiyama (hamstring) has been placed on the 10-day injured list, retroactive to March 29.

Impact Akiyama picked up a hamstring injury in mid-March and recently resumed baseball activities. It's not yet clear when the 32-year-old will be cleared to return to game action, but Aristides Aquino and Tyler Naquin could see a slight uptick in playing time while Akiyama is sidelined.

APRIL 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Akiyama, Gray among hurting Reds who will miss opening day

Spring training took its toll on some of the Cincinnati Reds and some players won't be ready for opening day

MARCH 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

With Shogo Akiyama sidelined, who bats leadoff for the Cincinnati Reds? Shogo Akiyama was the Reds' primary leadoff hitter last year, but he will begin the season on the 10-day IL. Who are the new top candidates?

MARCH 25, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Starting baseball activities Akiyama (hamstring) played catch Tuesday for the first time since his injury and walked around the outfield during batting practice, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer re...

Impact These were Akiyama's first baseball activities since his injury. He won't be ready by Opening Day, and instead will begin the season on the IL, though the Reds haven't yet made an official roster move.

MARCH 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Fantasy baseball 2021: Expert analysis and predictions on Shogo Akiyama, Luis Arráez and 2020's disappointments Michael Waterloo looks back on his fantasy baseball obsessions from 2020 that missed the mark to see where his thought process went wrong.

MARCH 21, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Fantasy baseball bouncebacks(?): Shogo Akiyama, Shed Long and what to expect from 2020's disappointments Michael Waterloo looks back on his fantasy baseball obsessions from 2020 that missed the mark to see where his thought process went wrong.

MARCH 19, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Optimistic Reds believe key pieces are in place to win now

The Cincinnati Reds say the key pieces are in place for them to make a run in the National League Central

MARCH 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Multi-week absence on tap Reds manager David Bell said Monday that Akiyama (hamstring) will be sidelined for "a few weeks," C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reports.

Impact Bell's comments essentially confirm that Akiyama will begin the season on the 10-day injured list, opening up an opportunity for another player to break camp with Cincinnati as the team's fourth outfielder. Akiyama's injury should also further solidify Nick Senzel as the Reds' everyday center fielder, as the lefty-hitting Akiyama was considered a threat to steal work from him versus right-handed pitching.

MARCH 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up hamstring injury Akiyama exited Saturday's spring game against the A's with a left hamstring injury, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Impact The specifics of the injury remain unclear as the 32-year-old continues to be evaluated. Akiyama could still be sidelined the next couple days, even if it ends up being a minor issue.

MARCH 14, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Reds OF Akiyama returns to camp after wife seriously injured

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama returned to spring training after a week away to be with his wife, who was seriously injured when a tree fell on her in a park in Ohio

MARCH 5, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Returns to camp Akiyama (personal) reported to the Reds' spring training facility Thursday, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Akiyama was gone from camp for seven days while tending to a personal matter. Due to his absence, Akiyama may need to put in a few days of workouts before the Reds clear him for Cactus League action, but the 32-year-old's status for Opening Day won't be in any jeopardy. With manager David Bell labeling Nick Senzel the Reds' everyday center fielder earlier in camp, Akiyama looks poised to begin the season as the fourth outfielder, assuming MLB opts not to institute a universal designated hitter for 2021.

MARCH 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still not at camp Akiyama (personal) remains away from the Reds' training camp, and though no return date has been announced, the Reds anticipate that it won't be too long, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com r...

Impact Once Akiyama returns, he won't be able to jump right into spring training games, as he'll have to go through COVID-19 intake testing with negative results before he can resume activities. Thus, we might not see him in spring training games until the weekend, and maybe later.

MARCH 3, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

The Cincinnati Reds' first Japanese player is about to begin his second year; 3 things about Shogo Akiyama Shogo Akiyama became the Cincinnati Reds' first-ever Japanese player last season and in the month of September was the team's hottest hitter...

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • CINCINNATI.COM

Leaves camp with personal issue Akiyama left Reds' spring training Friday to attend to a personal matter, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact The 32-year-old reported to camp as scheduled this week but made a quick exit for personal reasons. It's unclear when Akiyama is expected to rejoin his teammates, though at this point there's no reason to believe his availability for Opening Day will be affected.

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Won't be primary center fielder Akiyama won't be the Reds' top center fielder this season, as that job will go to Nick Senzel, Bobby Nightengale of The Cincinnati Enquirer reports.

Impact Manager David Bell seemed to suggest that Senzel would be the true everyday center fielder, meaning Akiyama won't even be part of a platoon in there. He could wind up stuck fighting for at-bats with fellow left-handed hitter Jesse Winker in left. That could be a tough battle for him, as anything close to a repeat of Winker's .255/.388/.544 line from last season should be more than enough to overcome his defensive deficiencies. Akiyama should still find himself with a decent number of at-bats across all three spots, but he may not get enough to matter for fantasy purposes unless someone gets hurt.

FEBRUARY 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

After unsatisfying debut, Shogo Akiyama thinks he has answer to MLB velocity Shogo Akiyama came to Major League Baseball knowing he would need to adjust to the increased velocity. Now he believes he can handle it.

FEBRUARY 23, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Reds' Joey Votto wants to get back 'to being dangerous'

Joey Votto wants to get back to being a power hitter

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Bell says late-season momentum will power 2021 Reds team

Cincinnati Reds manager David Bell says he saw his team developing cohesiveness and gaining momentum down the stretch last season that he believes will carry over into 2021

FEBRUARY 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

NL Central teams at the start of spring training

A team-by-team look at the National League Central entering spring training, including key players each club acquired and lost, and dates of the first workout for pitchers and catc...

FEBRUARY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Shogo Akiyama can snag a Gold Glove in first year with Reds The Japanese league veteran had some struggles at the plate in his MLB rookie year but his defense was top-notch.

OCTOBER 23, 2020 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Bell: Late season surge leaves Reds optimistic for 2021

The Cincinnati Reds made a quick exit from the playoffs but a surge late in the season has them feeling optimistic about the future

OCTOBER 2, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former World Series MVP Sandoval on Braves' roster vs. Reds

Pablo Sandoval is on the Atlanta Braves' roster for the National League wild-card series against the Cincinnati Reds

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting against lefty Akiyama is not in Wednesday's Game 1 lineup against Atlanta.

Impact The Reds are only starting three lefty hitters (Joey Votto, Mike Moustakas, Jesse Winker) against southpaw Max Fried. Aristides Aquino will start in left field and bat sixth.

SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting out against lefty Akiyama is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

Impact One reported lineup had Akiyama leading off in the regular-season finale, but it will be Aristides Aquino in left field and leading off against lefty Rich Hill. Akiyama had two hits and a steal in Saturday's loss and is getting on base at nearly a .500 clip this month, but the Reds seem to like this platoon arrangement atop the order.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE