AUGUST 19, 2021 • POST-GAZETTE.COM
YOSHI TSUTSUGO
PODCAST: What the Yoshi Tsutsugo signing means for the Pirates Pirates insiders Jason Mackey and Mike Persak share their thoughts on the team signing Yoshi Tsutsugo. Who is the new guy? And why would the...
Collects double against Dodgers Tsutsugo went 1-for-4 with a two-base hit in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Dodgers.
Impact The recently-acquired first baseman has hit a pair of doubles in his first five at-bats for Pittsburgh. Tsutsugo, who is with his third organization in 2021, will likely see ample opportunity over the next couple weeks.
AUGUST 18, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Joining big-league club Tsutsugo's contract with the Pirates is a major-league one, and he'll join his new team for their series against the Dodgers, which begins Monday, Alex Stumpf of DKPittsburghSports...
Impact Whether or not Tsutsugo will immediately enter the starting lineup remains to be seen, but he's likely to see a fair number of opportunities down the stretch. The 29-year-old has demonstrated a good eye in his 89 major-league games to date, walking at a 13.2 percent clip, but he hasn't done much else, striking out 29.4 percent of the time and hitting just eight homers to go with a .181/.291/.315 slash line. The Pirates are very much in audition mode, however, so he could get the chance to show what he can do at first base or in left field.
AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Set to join Pirates Tsutsugo agreed to a contract Sunday with the Pirates, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Impact Pittsburgh has yet to confirm Tsutsugo's signing or release the terms of his deal, making it unknown whether he'll immediately report to the big club or head to Triple-A Indianapolis. After being dropped from the Dodgers' 40-man roster July 7, Tsutsugo spent the past five weeks at Triple-A Oklahoma City, posting a 1.103 OPS over 28 games before Los Angeles released him Saturday.
AUGUST 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Removed from 40-man roster The Dodgers outrighted Tsutsugo off the 40-man roster Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Impact Tsutsugo will remain with Triple-A Oklahoma City, where he's been rehabbing from a calf injury since June 17. He's appeared in 38 games with the Rays and Dodgers in 2021 but hit just .155 and struck out 39 times in 103 at-bats. It remains to be seen whether Tsutsugo will earn another opportunity on Los Angeles' active roster this season.
JULY 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Fabian Ardaya: Yoshi Tsutsugo has been outrighted off the... - The Athletic Yoshi Tsutsugo has been outrighted off the Dodgers 40-man roster.
JULY 7, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Won't return before next weekend Tsutsugo (calf) will continue his rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City for at least another week before being re-evaluated, the Associated Press reports.
Impact Tsutsugo has already played in nine contests with the Triple-A club but has struggled to a .091 average (3-for-33), though two of his hits have left the park. The 29-year-old will continue working in the minors for the time being, and it remains to be seen where he may fit in with the big club when deemed ready to return. Tsutsugo is slashing a meager .155/.256/.194 in 118 plate appearances between the Rays and Dodgers this season.
JUNE 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rehab assignment delayed Tsutsugo (calf) was unable to start a rehab assignment Tuesday because his luggage didn't arrive in Oklahoma City, Michael J. Duarte of NBC LA reports.
Impact Tsutsugo reported to OKC as planned, but the luggage issue has delayed the beginning of his rehab stint until at least Wednesday. He could still come off the injured list when eligible Saturday as long as he's able to get into a few games before then, though it's not certain that the Dodgers will make room for his on the active roster.
JUNE 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Beginning rehab assignment Sunday Tsutsugo (calf) will start a rehab assignment at Triple-A Oklahoma City on Sunday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Impact Tsutsugo was placed on the injured list Wednesday with a strained right calf, but it looks like he'll be able return to game action in less than a week's time. Assuming all goes smoothly during his rehab, Tsutsugo seems likely to be activated when he becomes eligible June 19.
JUNE 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Sidelined with calf strain The Dodgers placed Tsutsugo on the 10-day injured list Wednesday with a right calf strain.
Impact Since being acquired from the Rays on May 15, Tsutsugo has largely served as a pinch-hitting specialist for the Dodgers. He's made only six starts in his first three weeks with the club, with none coming after May 28. Even if Tsutsugo misses the minimum amount of time with the calf strain, he's not guaranteed to have a reserve role waiting for him once he's reinstated from the IL.
JUNE 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
On base twice in Dodgers debut Tsutsugo went 0-for-2 with a pair of walks in Tuesday's 9-1 win over Arizona.
Impact Tsutsugo started in left field in his debut with the club after being acquired in a trade with the Rays on Saturday. He is hitting a paltry .162 this season but has notched an above-average 11 percent walk rate.
MAY 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Yoshi Tsutsugo hopes to get up to speed with the Dodgers Yoshi Tsutsugo always wanted to play for the Dodgers. When he decided to leave Japan’s Yokohama Bay Stars for the major leagues after a deca...
MAY 19, 2021 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM
What can the Dodgers tap into with Yoshi Tsutsugo? Tsutsugo lost his timing against high-velocity fastballs, but the Dodgers think some little adjustments will make a big difference.
MAY 19, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Fabian Ardaya: Dodgers vs TBD: Betts 8, Muncy 4, Taylor 5... - The Athletic Dodgers vs TBD: Betts 8, Muncy 4, Taylor 5, Smith 2, Beaty 9, Pujols 3, Tsutsugo 7, Lux 6, Urías LHP Yoshi Tsutsugo’s Dodger debut.
MAY 18, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Fabian Ardaya: Albert Pujols and Yoshi Tsutsugo were activated... - The Athletic Albert Pujols and Yoshi Tsutsugo were activated. Alex Vesia and Keibert Ruiz were optioned.
MAY 17, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
Bauer K's 10, Muncy has 3 hits as Dodgers blank Marlins 7-0
Trevor Bauer threw seven shutout innings and struck out 10, Max Muncy had three hits and the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Miami Marlins 7-0 to extend their winning streak to fo...MAY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Shipped to Dodgers Tsutsugo was acquired by the Dodgers from the Rays on Saturday in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Impact The 29-year-old was designated for assignment by the Rays earlier in the week, and he'll end up being traded to the Dodgers rather than exposed to the waiver wire. Tsutsugo joined Tampa Bay on a two-year, $12 million deal prior to the 2020 season and posted a .708 OPS last season, but he struggled mightily in 2021 with a .167/.244/.218 slash line and 27 strikeouts in 87 plate appearances.
MAY 16, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Dodgers acquire Yoshitomo Tsutsugo from Tampa Bay
The Los Angeles Dodgers acquired infielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo from the Tampa Bay Rays for a player to be named or cashMAY 16, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Fabian Ardaya: Dodgers just got Yoshi Tsutsugo from the Rays... - The Athletic Dodgers just got Yoshi Tsutsugo from the Rays for a PTBNL or cash.
MAY 16, 2021 • THEATHLETIC.COM
AP source: Albert Pujols signing with Los Angeles Dodgers
A person with knowledge of the deal says the Los Angeles Dodgers are signing veteran first baseman Albert Pujols to a major league dealMAY 15, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tampa Bay Rays: Time has run out on Yoshi Tsutsugo The 2021 season was supposed to be different for Yoshi Tsutsugo. The slugging Japanese outfielder had struggled in his first season with the...
MAY 12, 2021 • CALLTOTHEPEN.COM
Rays designate INF-OF Yoshi Tsutsugo for assignment
The Tampa Bay Rays have designated infielder-outfielder Yoshi Tsutsugo for assignmentMAY 11, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Rays designate Tsutsugo for assignment The Rays on Tuesday designated first baseman/designated hitter Yoshi Tsutsugo for assignment. In addition, the club recalled infielder Kevin...
MAY 11, 2021 • MLB.COM
Designated for assignment Tsutsugo was designated for assignment by the Rays on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Impact The Rays stuck with Tsutsugo after he posted a disappointing .197/.314/.395 line in his 51-game debut last season, a decision that didn't seem unwise given that an improvement in his .230 BABIP was likely to bring about better results. His BABIP has indeed improved somewhat this season (up to .255), but his line has cratered to .167/.244/.218. A .177 xBA and .273 xSLG indicate he wasn't getting all that unlucky. He could still find a home somewhere this season based on his resume in Japan, but there's a large gap between what he's shown thus far at the MLB level and what he needs to show to be a regular, especially given that he's limited to the corners defensively. Kevin Padlo was recalled in a corresponding move.
MAY 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Decisions, decisions for Rays, starting with Yoshi Tsutsugo, Ji-Man Choi Has the struggling slugger run out of time? Is the energetic first baseman ready to come off the injured list?
MAY 10, 2021 • TAMPABAY.COM
