YOSHI TSUTSUGO NEWS

Resumes light activities Tsutsugo (back) was cleared to resume light baseball activities this week, Justice delos Santos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Tsutsugo, who is recovering from a lumbar muscle strain, should gradually ramp up his workouts in the days to come, but he'll likely need at least a brief minor-league rehab assignment before the Pirates are comfortable bringing him back from the 10-day injured list. Once he's activated, the lefty-hitting Tsutsugo could fill the large side of a platoon at first base with Michael Chavis or Yu Chang.

JUNE 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

No baseball activities yet Tsutsugo (back) is progressing in his recovery but has yet to be cleared for baseball activities, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Tsutsugo landed on the injured list with a lumbar muscle strain last week, and he's since been shut down from baseball activities. The 30-year-old is eligible to be reinstated back to the active roster this week, but until he resumes baseball work he won't have a clear timeline for his return.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with lumbar muscle strain Tsutsugo's injured which sent him to the injured list was revealed to be a lumbar muscle strain Friday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports.com reports.

Impact Tsutsugo has struggled to a .177/.281/.257 line through 35 games this season, but it's not clear to what extent that can be attributed to his injury. While the reason for his absence has now been clarified, the Pirates have yet to provide a timetable for his return.

MAY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on injured list Tsutsugo was placed on the 10-day injured list with an undisclosed injury Thursday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Tsutusgo was out of the lineup Wednesday for what appeared to be rest. However, he is apparently battling an injury that has yet to be disclosed. While Mason Martin has hit the ball well at Triple-A Indianapolis, Tucupita Marcano is reportedly being recalled by Pittsburgh in the corresponding move. While Tsutsugo is sidelined, Michael Chavis should be locked into playing time at first base.

MAY 27, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Wednesday Tsutsugo isn't starting Wednesday against the Rockies.

Impact Tsutsugo drew starts in the last 10 games, but he'll get a breather after going 0-for-4 with three strikeouts in Tuesday's loss to Colorado. Ben Gamel will serve as the designated hitter while Cal Mitchell starts in right field.

MAY 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in winning run Tsutsugo went 1-for-4 with an RBI on Monday against Colorado.

Impact Tsutsugo hit a chopper to second base and was able to beat the throw to drive in the game-winning run in the eighth inning. He's driven in a run in each of his last four games, also collecting two extra-base hits in 13 at-bats. Tsutsugo's line remains subpar at .183/.290/.266 across 131 plate appearances, but the Pirates have been willing to keep him in place as the primary first baseman.

MAY 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yoshi Tsutsugo's speed, JT Brubaker's arm help Pirates grind out 2-1 victory over Rockies PITTSBURGH — Compile a list of possible reasons for the Pirates to win, and Yoshi Tsutsugo's speed likely isn’t anywhere near the top.

MAY 24, 2022 • CHARLOTTEOBSERVER.COM

Tallies multi-hit game Tsutsugo went 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI on Saturday against the Cardinals.

Impact Tsutsugo roped an RBI double over the head of Harrison Bader in the bottom of the second inning for his first knock of the game. He added a single later, recording the first multi-hit effort in his last eight starts. In that span, he has hit just .040 with two RBI and no runs scored. Despite his struggles, Tsutsugo has remained the Pirates' primary first baseman and is hitting .175/.276/.233 across 123 plate appearances for the campaign.

MAY 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Out of lineup Tsutsugo will sit Friday against the Reds.

Impact Tsutsugo has been unable to recapture the form he showed down the stretch last season, as he's hitting .188/.303/.250 with just one home run through 25 games. He'll hit the bench against a righty (Tyler Mahle) for the second time in three games, with Michael Chavis taking over at first base.

MAY 13, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Wednesday Tsutsugo will take a seat in Wednesday's series finale against the Dodgers.

Impact Tsutsugo will be on the bench Wednesday after starting three straight games, going 2-for-10 with a double and two RBI over that stretch. Michael Chavis will draw the start at first base and bat fifth as the Pirates try to take the series from Dodgers.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cranks first homer Tsutsugo went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run and a walk in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Reds.

Impact Tsutsugo was on the bench for the first game of the doubleheader, but he returned for the second matchup to start at first base while hitting fifth. He delivered a two-run blast in the first inning, his first home run of the season. Tsutsugo has had a slow start to the campaign, as he's hitting just .191/.310/.250 across 78 plate appearances.

MAY 8, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

On bench for matinee Tsutsugo isn't starting the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against Cincinnati.

Impact Tsutsugo has gone 2-for-10 with a walk and two strikeouts over his last three games, but he'll be out of the lineup for a second straight matchup. Michael Chavis will start at first base and bat fifth during Saturday's matinee.

MAY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat for nightcap Tsutsugo isn't starting the second game of Wednesday's doubleheader against the Tigers.

Impact Tsutsugo started in Wednesday's matinee and went 0-for-2 with a walk and a strikeout. Michael Chavis will replace him at first base and bat fifth in the second game.

MAY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Friday Tsutsugo isn't starting Friday's game against the Padres.

Impact Tsutsugo has had fairly consistent playing time early in the season, but he'll retreat to the bench for a second straight game. Michael Chavis will take over at first base and bat seventh.

APRIL 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to bench Tsutsugo will sit Thursday against the Brewers, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact Tsutsugo sits for just the third time this season. He's so far been unable to replicate the success he had down the stretch for the Pirates last season, as he's hitting just .185/.299/.204 with zero home runs through 16 games. Michael Chavis will start at first base.

APRIL 28, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting Friday Tsutsugo isn't starting Friday's game against the Cubs.

Impact Tsutsugo started in the last three games and went 1-for-12 with a double, two RBI and a walk. However, Michael Chavis will start at first base and bat fifth Friday.

APRIL 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Yoshi Tsutsugo, bullpen help Pirates open Cubs series with wild win Yoshi Tsutsugo got his first extra-base hit of the season, Daniel Vogelbach homered again, and the Pirates beat the Cubs, 4-3, on Thursday.

APRIL 22, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Pirates, Derek Shelton confident Yoshi Tsutsugo's power will return Yoshi Tsutsugo has been grinding through at-bats, manager Derek Shelton said. But finding power has been a challenge early on.

APRIL 19, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Sits for first time Tsutsugo will sit for the first time this season Monday against Milwaukee.

Impact Tsutsugo's day off comes against lefty Eric Lauer, but he's started against four southpaws already this season, so there's little reason to fear that he's slipping into a platoon role. Such a role could be on the table eventually if he can't reverse his slow start, however, as he's yet to record an extra-base hit. Michael Chavis will be the first baseman Monday.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Reaches base three times Tsutsugo went 1-for-2 with two walks and an RBI Sunday against the Nationals.

Impact Tsutsugo delivered his fourth RBI of the season on a groundout in the seventh inning. He has shown strong patience early in the campaign, maintaining a .368 on-base percentage while drawing seven free passes across 38 plate appearances. On the other hand, Tsutsugo has yet to produce an extra-base hit and is slugging just .241 as a result.

APRIL 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Resting Monday Tsutsugo is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Impact Tsutsugo will get his first rest day of the season Monday, after he went 4-for-12 with two RBI through the initial three games of the series in St. Louis. The 30-year-old closed out the weekend with a dud -- he went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts in Sunday's 9-4 win -- but Tsutsugo should continue to handle a near-everyday role for Pittsburgh at either first base or designated hitter, with Daniel Vogelbach typically starting at the other position. While Tsutsugo rests Monday, Michael Chavis will pick up a second straight start in his stead after slugging a grand slam and a double in Sunday's win.

APRIL 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to play Tuesday Tsutsugo (neck) will start at first base and bat third in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against the Phillies.

Impact Tsutsugo's inclusion in Pittsburgh's final lineup of spring training implies that he'll be good to go for the Pirates' Opening Day game Thursday against the Cardinals in St. Louis. After unproductive stints with the Rays and Dodgers to begin last season, Tsutsugo emerged as a pillar in the Pittsburgh lineup after the team signed him in August. Over his 144 plate appearances with the Pirates, Tsutsugo produced a .268/.347/.535 slash line (134 wRC+), solidifying himself as an everyday player heading into 2022 in the process.

APRIL 5, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Leaves with neck tightness Tsutsugo was removed from Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays due to neck tightness, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

Impact The Pirates don't appear overly concerned about the injury, with manager Derek Shelton saying after the game that Tsutsugo likely would have stayed in had it been a regular-season game. After a day off Monday, Tsutsugo is expected to return to the lineup for the Pirates' exhibition finale Tuesday against the Phillies.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pirates spring training: Yoshi Tsutsugo continues hot spring despite loss to Baltimore Orioles BRADENTON, Fla. — Last year, for one game, Yoshi Tsutsugo’s translator, Brian Tobin, got to wear a Pirates jersey. That day, Tsutsugo went.....

MARCH 27, 2022 • POST-GAZETTE.COM

Starting against Tigers Tsutsugo (not injury related) is starting Saturday's Grapefruit League game against the Tigers.

Impact Tsutsugo had a slightly delayed arrival as he traveled back from Japan, but he'll make his spring debut Saturday. The 30-year-old will start at first base and bat fourth, and it's unlikely that his brief absence will impact his availability to begin the regular season.

MARCH 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE