The Tampa Bay Rays officially ended the tenure of first baseman Yoshi Tsutsugo Tuesday, designating him for assignment.
The 29-year-old signed a two-year, $12 million deal with the Rays prior to the 2020 season, but could not make the adjustment to the pitching in the United States. After hitting .197 with eight home runs and 24 RBI in 51 games during the shortened 2020 campaign, Tsutsugo’s struggles continued in 2021. He slashed just .167/.244/.218 without a home run and five RBI, though one helped beat Gerrit Cole and the New York Yankees early in the season.
The team now have seven days to either trade Tsutsugo or place him in irrevocable outright waivers.
To take Tsutsugo’s spot on the active roster, third baseman Kevin Padlo was recalled from Triple-A Durham. Reliever Ryan Sherriff was also activated from the team’s restricted list and was optioned to Durham, where he had been for a rehab assignment.
Steve Carney is the founder and publisher of St. Pete Nine. One of the people most associated with baseball coverage in Tampa Bay, he spent 13 seasons covering the Rays for flagship radio station WDAE, first as producer of Rays Radio broadcasts, then as beat reporter beginning in 2011. He likes new analytics and aged bourbon, and is the owner of one of the ugliest knuckleballs ever witnessed by baseball scouts.
