YOSHI TSUTSUGO NEWS

Nabs MiLB deal from Giants Tsutsugo agreed to a minor-league contract with the Giants on Monday, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Impact After opting out of his minor-league deal with the Rangers in late June, Tsutsugo sat on the open market for nearly two months before finding work with the Giants. Due to the long layoff, Tsutsugo could first report to the Giants' spring training facility in Arizona before likely settling at Triple-A Sacramento, where he'll hope to perform well enough to make a case for a late-season promotion to the Giants. Over 208 plate appearances with Texas' Triple-A affiliate at Round Rock this season, Tsutsugo slashed .249/.380/.432 with six home runs and two stolen bases.

AUGUST 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Opts out of deal Tsutsugo opted out of his minor-league contract with the Rangers and became a free agent Thursday, Evan Grant of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Tsutsugo signed a minor-league deal with Texas in the offseason and failed to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training. The 31-year-old infielder is slashing .249/.380/.432 in Triple-A this season and has historically been very successful in the minors, so he figures to have no problem securing at least a minor-league deal from another club.

JUNE 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Signs MiLB deal with Toronto Tsutsugo signed a minor-league contract with the Blue Jays on Wednesday, Mitch Bannon of SI.com reports.

Impact Tsutsugo hit just .171 with two home runs, 19 RBI and 11 runs over 50 games with the Pirates earlier this year prior to being released in early August. However, he'll now have a chance to carve out a role at Triple-A Buffalo.

AUGUST 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Blue Jays Close To Signing Yoshi Tsutsugo The Blue Jays are closing in on a minor-league deal with free agent hitter Yoshi Tsutsugo

AUGUST 15, 2022 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Released by Pirates Tsutsugo was released by the Pirates on Friday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact He hit .171/.249/.229 with two home runs in 50 games before being designated for assignment. It wouldn't be surprising to see Tsutsugo return to Japan, as he has never been able to really catch on stateside since originally signing a two-year, $12 million deal with the Rays before the 2020 season.

AUGUST 6, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Designated for assignment Tsutsugo was designated for assignment by the Pirates on Wednesday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Tsutsugo had inconsistent playing time for the Pirates over the last few weeks, and he'll lose his spot on the 40-man roster after hitting .171 with two home runs, 19 RBI and 11 runs over 50 major-league games to begin the year. It's not yet clear whether he'll remain in the organization if he goes unclaimed on waivers, but Tucupita Marcano will take his place on the active roster.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

To start roster changes, Pirates designate Yoshi Tsutsugo for assignment According to sources, the Pirates on Wednesday designated Yoshi Tsutsugo for assignment.

AUGUST 3, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Sits versus righty Tsutsugo is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Brewers.

Impact The Pirates often shield the lefty-hitting Tsutsugo from southpaw pitchers, but he'll take a seat Tuesday with right-hander and reigning National League Cy Young Award winner Corbin Burnes taking the hill for Milwaukee. Josh VanMeter and Bligh Madris will serve as the Pirates' first baseman and designated hitter, respectively, while Tsutsugo sits after producing a .158/.172/.175 slash line in 15 games since he returned from the injured list in early July.

AUGUST 2, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Late addition to lineup Tsutsugo will start at first base and bat eighth Sunday against the Phillies.

Impact Tsutsugo was originally absent from Sunday's lineup but will end up starting with Ke'Bryan Hayes scratched with a knee injury. Tsutsugo is 2-for-19 with three RBI and nine strikeouts in five games since the All-Star break.

JULY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Remains on bench Sunday Tsutsugo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Phillies.

Impact Tsutsugo is 2-for-19 with three RBI and nine strikeouts to open the second half, and he finds himself on the bench Sunday for the fourth time in the past five games. Cal Mitchell will serve as the designated hitter while Bligh Madris starts in right field.

JULY 31, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Riding pine Saturday Tsutsugo isn't starting Saturday against Philadelphia.

Impact Tsutsugo started Friday and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, and he'll head to the bench for the third time in the last four games. Ben Gamel is serving as the designated hitter while Bligh Madris starts in left field.

JULY 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Day off Thursday Tsutsugo is not in the starting lineup Thursday against the Phillies.

Impact Tsutsugo will take a seat Thursday for a second game in a row. Cal Mitchell will take over at designated hitter while Bligh Madris enters the lineup in right field and bats fifth in the series opener.

JULY 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Tuesday Tsutsugo is not in the starting lineup Tuesday versus the Cubs.

Impact Tsutsugo will get a day off after going 2-for-15 with three RBI and six strikeouts over the last four contests. Ben Gamel will slot in as the designated hitter while Greg Allen enters the lineup in left field.

JULY 26, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates Fast 5: Roster moves, questions pick up as trade deadline looms Ji-hwan Bae is in a kerfuffle. Bryan Reynolds is set to return. Yoshi Tsutsugo and José Quintana remain in limbo. And Colin Holderman?

JULY 25, 2022 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Idle against lefty Tsutsugo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rockies.

Impact With Colorado bringing southpaw Austin Gomber to the hill on Sunday, the lefty-hitting Tsutsugo will hit the bench for the second time in the series. Michael Chavis checks in for Tsutsugo at first base.

JULY 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting Friday Tsutsugo will be on the bench Friday against the Rockies, Kevin Gorman of TribLive.com reports.

Impact Tsutsugo's off days typically come against lefties, but he'll sit here against righty German Marquez. He'll miss out on the opportunity to pad his numbers at Coors Field, though his .182/.271/.252 season slash line needs more than a little padding. Josh VanMeter will get the start at first base.

JULY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against lefty Tsutsugo will sit Monday against the Marlins.

Impact Tsutsugo will take a seat again Monday as the Pirates take on left-hander Trevor Rogers. Michael Chavis will start at first base and bat third against the Marlins.

JULY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench against lefty Tsutsugo is out of the lineup for Sunday's game in Milwaukee.

Impact Tsutsugo will take a seat after he went 5-for-19 with a double and a run scored while starting in five of the Pirates' six games since he was reinstated from the 10-day injured list Tuesday. With southpaw Eric Lauer on the mound for Milwaukee, the lefty-hitting Tsutsugo will give way to the righty-hitting Michael Chavis at first base.

JULY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for nightcap Tsutsugo isn't starting the second game of Thursday's doubleheader against Cincinnati.

Impact Tsutsugo went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts in the first game of the twin bill and will rest in the nightcap. Michael Chavis is starting at first base and batting cleanup.

JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Activated from IL The Pirates activated Tsutsugo (back) off the 10-day injured list Tuesday.

Impact Ttutsugo is back after a back strain sidelined him for over a month. It's unclear what the 30-year-old's role will be, as he slashed a miserable .177/.281/.528 in 135 plate appearances to start the season.

JULY 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Due back for Yankees series Pirates general manager Ben Cherington said he expects Tsutsugo (back) to return from the 10-day injured list during the team's two-game series with the Yankees that begins Tuesday...

Impact Tsutsugo appears to be fully recovered from the lumbar muscle strain that resulted in his placement on the IL on May 26. He started a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis on June 21 and has appeared in nine games for the affiliate, slashing .400/.556/.760 with two home runs and a 9:3 BB:K mark over 36 plate appearances. Once activated, Tsutsugo should take on a strong-side platoon role for Pittsburgh at either first base or designated hitter.

JULY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Rays play the Pirates after Arozarena's 4-hit game

The Tampa Bay Rays play the Pittsburgh Pirates after Randy Arozarena's four-hit game on Saturday

JUNE 26, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rays bring 1-0 series lead over Pirates into game 2

The Tampa Bay Rays lead 1-0 in a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates

JUNE 25, 2022 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Beginning rehab assignment Tuesday Tsutsugo (back) will begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Indianapolis on Tuesday, Rob Biertempfel of The Athletic reports.

Impact Tsutsugo is one of three injured Pirates position players who will kick off his rehab assignment at Indianapolis this week, with infielders Kevin Newman (groin/hamstring) and Josh VanMeter (finger) set to join him. Sidelined since May 26 with a lumbar muscle strain, Tsutsugo could unseat either Michael Chavis or Daniel Vogelbach for regular starts at first base or designated hitter once he's cleared to return from the 10-day injured list.

JUNE 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Nearing rehab assignment Manager Derek Shelton said Friday that Tsutsugo (back) could begin a rehab assignment in the next 5-7 days, Chris Halicke of DK Pittsburgh Sports reports.

Impact Tsutsugo has been on the injured list with a lumbar muscle strain since May 26, but he was cleared to resume light baseball activities last week. While the 30-year-old will likely require several rehab games before he's reinstated from the injured list, he's certainly trending in the right direction.

JUNE 17, 2022 • ROTOWIRE