SHOGO AKIYAMA NEWS

Two hits, steal in loss Akiyama went 2-for-3 with a run scored and a stolen base in Saturday's 7-3 loss to the Twins. It was his seventh steal of the season.

Impact Akiyama has an OBP just shy of .500 over his last 16 games, but he has just two extra-base hits in that span (both doubles) and is still without a home run. The complete absence of power we've seen from Akiyama in his MLB debut presents a dilemma for fantasy players -- his skills will clearly play at the highest level, but it's generally tough to start a player with a goose egg in the home-run column.

SEPTEMBER 27, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Late hot streak propels Reds to postseason The Reds making the postseason was part of the plan all along when baseball operations president Dick Williams and general manager Nick Kral...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • MLB.COM

Late hot streak propels Reds to postseason The Reds making the postseason was part of the plan all along when baseball operations president Dick Williams and general manager Nick Kral...

SEPTEMBER 26, 2020 • MLB.COM

Sits against southpaw Akiyama will hit the bench against lefty Brett Anderson and the Brewers on Tuesday.

Impact Akiyama has made just a single start against a southpaw this season. Aristides Aquino will lead off and play left field in his absence.

SEPTEMBER 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against left-hander Akiyama isn't in Saturday's lineup against the White Sox.

Impact Akiyama will take a seat with lefty Dallas Keuchel on the mound for Chicago. Aristides Aquino will take over as the left fielder in his absence.

SEPTEMBER 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Castillo pitches Reds to 1-0 win, four-game sweep of Pirates

Luis Castillo threw seven shutout innings, Shogo Akiyama drove in the Reds only run and Cincinnati completed a four-game sweep of Pittsburgh with a 1-0 win that keeps the Reds in t...

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Dodgers beat Padres, become 1st to clinch postseason berth

SEPTEMBER 17, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Gregorius' 2-run homer helps Phillies beat Mets 4-1

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reds inch closer to playoffs with 4-1 win over Pirates

Tucker Barnhart hit a home run and Brian Goodwin prevented one with a leaping catch as the Cincinnati Reds extended their winning streak to a season-high four games with a 4-1 vict...

SEPTEMBER 16, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

'Small adjustments' paying off for Akiyama When the Reds signed Japanese outfielder Shogo Akiyama to a three-year, $21 million contract in January, they envisioned the on-base special...

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • MLB.COM

Lamet pitches Padres over Kershaw, Dodgers 7-2

SEPTEMBER 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Moustakas homers as Reds sweep Pirates with 9-4 win

Mike Moustakas hit a big three-run homer in the fifth inning, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-4 for a doubleheader sweep

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Leading off in fourth straight Akiyama will start in left field and will serve as the Reds' leadoff hitter in the first game of Monday's doubleheader with the Pirates.

Impact Akiyama is currently enjoying one of his better stretches of what's been a tough first season in the big leagues. Over his past six games, the 32-year-old has gone 8-for-22 with a double, four walks, three runs, two RBI and two stolen bases. Manager David Bell will reward Akiyama with his fourth straight start out of the leadoff spot, but the rookie could soon be headed for a bench role. The Reds will bring back everyday center fielder Nick Senzel (undisclosed) from the 10-day injured list Monday, and Akiyama may be squeezed out of a regular spot in the outfield once Jesse Winker (back) -- who will sit out a fourth straight game -- is cleared to return.

SEPTEMBER 14, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Castillo pitches 2-hitter, Votto HR as Reds beat Cardinals

Luis Castillo pitched a two-hitter for his first complete game in the majors, Joey Votto homered and the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1

SEPTEMBER 12, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Swipes two bags Akiyama went 1-for-2 with an RBI, a run scored, a pair of walks and two stolen bases in Thursday's loss to the Cubs.

Impact Akiyama reached base multiple times for the third straight game and registered his first multi-steal game as a major leaguer in the loss. The 32-year-old collected five hits and three walks over 12 plate appearances in the three-game series against the Cubs. That could earn him more playing time moving forward, though it remains to be seen the extent to which the looming return of Nick Senzel (undisclosed) will affect Akiyama's momentum.

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Hoerner, Happ, bullpen lead Cubs past Reds 8-5

Willson Contreras had four hits to tie a career high, rookie Nico Hoerner added three RBIs and the Chicago Cubs overcame an early three-run deficit to top Sonny Gray and the Cincin...

SEPTEMBER 11, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reaches base three times in loss Akiyama went 2-for-3 with a walk Tuesday in the Reds' 3-0 loss to the Cubs.

Impact Akiyama's two hits represented nearly half of the Reds' total (five) on the day, as Chicago starter Alec Mills and three relievers combined to shut out Cincinnati. In spite of the positive day at the dish, Akiyama is still slashing a lowly .210/.314/.267 on the season. He's likely to transition to a fourth-outfielder role once Nick Senzel (undisclosed) returns from the injured list.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Mills sharp, Bote has 2 RBIs as Cubs beat Reds 3-0

Alec Mills pitched six sharp innings and David Bote drove in two runs, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 3-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rangers snap 6-game losing streak, beat Angels 7-1

SEPTEMBER 9, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Votto single in ninth lifts Reds to 4-3 win over Cardinals

Joey Votto’s single in the bottom of the ninth inning drove in Shogo Akiyama with the winning run as the Cincinnati Reds beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-3

SEPTEMBER 3, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Reds take advantage of wild Kimbrel, beat Cubs for DH split

Nick Castellanos raced home on Craig Kimbrel’s third wild pitch of the seventh inning, and the Cincinnati Reds avoided a doubleheader sweep by topping the Chicago Cubs 6-5

AUGUST 29, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sitting against southpaw Akiyama isn't in the lineup Monday against the Brewers.

Impact With left-hander Brett Anderson taking the mound for Milwaukee in the series opener, Akiyama will get a day off. Jesse Winker will take over in left field in his absence.

AUGUST 24, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Not in Saturday's lineup Akiyama isn't in the lineup Saturday against the Cardinals.

Impact Akiyama went 1-for-9 with one walk and one strikeout over the past three games, and he'll get a day to rest Saturday with left-hander Kwang-Hyun Kim starting for the Cardinals. Jesse Winker will start in left field with Phillip Ervin starting as the center fielder.

AUGUST 22, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Playing CF with Senzel out Akiyama started the first game of Wednesday's doubleheader in center field and is in line for added playing time for as long as Nick Senzel is out, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports.

Impact Travis Jankowski will also get a start occasionally, but because both players bat left-handed, this isn't a platoon situation. Akiyama is off to a slow start this season, hitting .231/.322/.308 in 52 at-bats so far.

AUGUST 19, 2020 • ROTOWIRE

Gray fans 10, Winker homers twice as Reds beat Pirates 8-1

Jesse Winker had his first career two homer game and Sonny Gray continued his torrid strikeout pace as the Cincinnati Reds broke open a close contest with five runs in the last two...

AUGUST 15, 2020 • ASSOCIATED PRESS