Yoshitomo Tsutsugo (Texas Rangers), who is aiming to re-enter the major leagues, failed to join the opening game.
Texas coach Bruce Bochy said in an interview with many media outlets including ‘MLB.com’ on the 25th (Korean time), “Infielders Tsutsugo and Clint Frazier will not join the roster for the opening game. Joe McCarthy and Reyes Moronta have been released from the team.”
Tsutsugo joined Texas as an invited player for spring training last February. He failed to participate in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) and worked hard to prepare for the season by building up his body at the camp.
However, he showed a lower-than-expected performance with an exhibition game batting average of 0.222, 1 home run, 6 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.646, eventually falling away from the opening game of the major leagues. Locals said the choice was not surprising, as both Tsutsugo and Fraser arrived late at camp.먹튀검증
There is no possibility of a call-up at all. It’s because Texas’ first base depth is thin. If starting first baseman Nathaniel Lowe is injured or needs DH or pinch-hitter resources, he could be called up mid-season.
His defense and running are weak, and his hitting is sluggish, so he needs a change in his hitting. You have to adapt to American baseball so that you can survive even if you are called up. Japanese clubs are also keeping an eye on him, so he may return to Japan during the season.
Tsutsugo started playing in the major leagues from the 2020 season and went through the Tampa Bay Rays, Pittsburgh Pirates, and LA Dodgers, and recorded a career batting average of 0.197, 18 homers, 75 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.630. Last season, he was released from Pittsburgh with a batting average of 0.171, 2 homers, 19 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.478.