Yoshitomo Tsutsugo #25 of Japan is seen during the Game 2 of the Championship Round of the 2017 World Baseball Classic between United States and Japan at Dodger Stadium on March 21, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Masterpress/Getty Images)
Japanese outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutugo is returning to the Yokohama DeNA Baystars in Nippon Professional Baseball on a multi-year deal, per Yahoo Japan News on April 14.
Tsutsugo, 32, was born in Hashimoto and began his career with the Yokohama DeNA Baystars in 2010, where he played for ten seasons until the end of 2019. His career numbers in the NPB are 205 home runs, 613 RBI, and an OPS of .910. His slashline was .285/.382/.528 in 3,426 at-bats.
Tsutsugo was a five-time All-Star from 2015 to 2019. In 2016, he won the triple crown in the Central League and also led in on-base percentage. His 2016 numbers were 44 home runs, 110 RBI, a .322 batting average, and an OBP of .430.
Tsutsugo played for Japan in the 2017 World Baseball Classic and was named the most valuable player in Pool B. Tsutsugo had three home runs, eight RBI, and a batting average of .364 in the WBC.
Tsutsugo went to MLB after the 2019 season and signed with the Tampa Bay Rays for two years and $19 million. He debuted with the Rays on July 24, 2020, and hit a home run off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Hyun-jin Ryu. He hit eight home runs and drove in 24 RBI in 157 at-bats.
Sunday, April 14, 2024 Roundup:
Roki Sasaki started for the Chiba Lotte Mariners on April 14 against the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles. Sasaki pitched seven innings, allowing three hits and one earned run. He struck out seven batters, walked two, and earned the win.
Tokyo Yakult Swallows pitcher Miguel Yajure became the second non-Japanese pitcher to start his NPB career with three wins in his first three starts on April 14. Yaure has pitched 17.2 innings with 16 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.53.
The Nippon-Ham Fighters are calling up right-handed pitcher Ren Fukushima, who is expected to debut on April 17, per the Yakyu Cosmopolitan’s X account. Fukushima, 20, has pitched in the Nippon-Ham Fighters’ farm system since 2022. His career numbers are 75.1 innings, 70 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.33.
The Yokohama DeNA Baystars (7-7) play on April 15 at 5:00 a.m. EST against the Hiroshima Carp (5-9) at Mazda Stadium.
April 14 NPB Scores:
Tokyo Yakult Swallows 9 Yokohama DeNA Baystars 0
Chiba Lotte Mariners 9 Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles 2
Nippon-Ham Fighters 3 Orix Buffaloes 6
Hanshin Tigers 2 Chunichi Dragons 1
Hiroshima Toyo Carp 1 Yomiuri Giants 2
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks 4 Saitama Seibu Lions 1