Tyler Austin Returns to United States After Five Seasons in Japan, Signs One-Year Deal With Chicago Cubs

Former Major League utility player Tyler Austin has returned to the United States after spending six seasons in Japan with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball. On December 18, Austin signed a one-year Major League deal with the Chicago Cubs, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN.

First baseman Tyler Austin and the Chicago Cubs are in agreement on a one-year major league deal, sources tell ESPN. Austin, 34, is a former top Yankees prospect who has been a star in Japan for the last half-decade, hitting .293/.377/.568 for the Yokohama Bay Stars.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 18, 2025

The Cubs also confirmed the signing of Austin on December 18.

Today’s roster update presented by @NuveenInv. pic.twitter.com/huL9wyiQpZ

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) December 19, 2025

Austin was a free agent prior to signing with the North Side ball club.

No total finances have yet been announced by the Cubs organization.

The 34-year-old right-handed slugger from Conyers, Georgia, played in 403 games with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars and batted .293/.377/.568 with 85 home runs.

The Cubs are finalizing a one-year MLB deal with Tyler Austin, per multiple reports.

Austin spent the last six seasons in the NPB, slashing .293/.377/.568 with 85 HR across 403 games. Austin last appeared in the majors in 2019 with the Milwaukee Brewers. pic.twitter.com/CON5XTgc4l

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) December 18, 2025

Austin totaled 1,491 plate appearances with the BayStars over six seasons, collecting 383 hits, 95 doubles, four triples, 85 home runs, 236 RBIs, 172 walks, and 340 strikeouts.

Austin last played in Major League Baseball during the 2019 season, splitting time between the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Milwaukee Brewers. That season, he appeared in 89 games and hit .188 across 179 plate appearances, collecting 29 hits, five doubles, nine home runs, 24 RBIs, two stolen bases, 24 walks, and 67 strikeouts, with a .705 OPS.

From 2020 through 2025 with Yokohama, Austin re-established himself as one of the most productive foreign hitters in NPB. He was selected as an NPB All-Star in both 2024 and 2025, won the Central League batting title in 2024, and helped the BayStars capture their third Japan Series championship in 2024. Yokohama defeated the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in six games under manager Daisuke Miura.

During the 2025 season, Austin played in 65 games and batted .269 across 246 plate appearances, recording 59 hits, 14 doubles, 11 home runs, 28 RBIs, 26 walks, 45 strikeouts, and an .834 OPS.

The BayStars finished second in the Central League during the 2025 season with a 71-66-6 record, behind the Hanshin Tigers. Yokohama reached the postseason but was swept by Hanshin in the Central League Championship Series, falling short of a second consecutive Japan Series appearance.

In 2024, Austin appeared in 106 games and hit .316 with 125 hits, 34 doubles, two triples, 25 home runs, 69 RBIs, 45 walks, 88 strikeouts, and a .983 OPS.

Austin also gained international recognition during the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, when he represented the United States at Yokohama Stadium under manager Mike Scioscia. He was selected to the All-Olympic Team after batting .417 over six games, helping Team USA reach the gold medal game, where it fell to host nation Japan.

Austin made his MLB debut on August 13, 2016, with the New York Yankees, the same day as Aaron Judge. The two players also hit their first career MLB home runs in back-to-back at-bats during that game.

According to Yakyu Cosmopolitan, Austin will be remembered as one of the most productive foreign hitters in recent NPB history, posting a career 170 wRC+ during a dead-ball era and maintaining a strikeout rate below 20 percent since 2024.

Across four MLB seasons, Austin has appeared in 209 games with the Yankees (2016–18), Twins (2018–19), Giants (2019), and Brewers (2019), posting a career .219 batting average with 33 home runs and a .743 OPS.

Primarily a first baseman during his time in Japan, Austin will compete for playing time during the Cubs’ 2026 Cactus League season under manager Craig Counsell, alongside Michael Busch, Moisés Ballesteros, and Miguel Amaya on the depth chart.

Chicago opens its 2026 Cactus League schedule on February 20 at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona, against the Chicago White Sox.

Frank Correa on Tyler Austin’s Career in Japan

New York City native and longtime Yokohama DeNA BayStars supporter Frank Correa shared his perspective on Austin’s career in Japan.

On Austin’s progression:
“I had low expectations when he first signed. As a Yankees fan, I knew what he had done previously, and he didn’t really blow anyone away in MLB. What he did in Yokohama shows how much he grew as a player. The BayStars have done a good job since Alex Ramírez became manager in 2015 of helping foreign players acclimate to Japan.”

Correa also pointed to Austin’s popularity and legacy with the BayStars.

“He wore No. 23, previously worn by Bobby Rose, which are enormous shoes to fill. Later he changed to No. 3 and made his own legacy, winning three trophies in Yokohama: the 2023 Interleague title, the 2024 Climax Series, and the 2024 Nippon Series. Just like Bobby Rose, he’s now a legend in Yokohama.”

On translating success back to MLB:
“The BayStars have one of the best analytics departments in NPB, and I think they helped him unlock his swing and pitch selection. The work ethic demanded in Japan and the confidence from succeeding there will carry back with him to the States.”

On Daisuke Miura’s influence:
“Miura is a player’s coach. Tyler respected him and never complained, even when sent down due to fitness. He played hard, dealt with injuries, and earned respect because of how he carried himself.”

Correa added that despite injuries, Austin’s place in BayStars history is secure.

“He’ll forever be remembered in Yokohama. His chant will be sung in that stadium to help bring them a championship after 26 years.”

Photo: United States’ Tyler Austin follows the flight of the ball after hitting a home run in the third inning of a baseball game against Israel at the 2020 Summer Olympics, Friday, July 30, 2021, in Yokohama, Japan. (AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki)