Former Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama says he's returning to Japan - where he starred before signing with Cincinnati in 2020 - according to a report.
"I've been told by my agent that we've gotten no offers from teams in American baseball. I'll return to Japan before making my next decision," Akiyama said, per the Japan Times.
The El Paso Chihuahuas, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Diego Padres, announced last week that they released Akiyama.
Akiyama had been on the COVID list and out of action since June 3. He hit three home runs in about two weeks for the Chihuahuas - after going homerless in 366 regular-season appearances over parts of two seasons as an outfielder with the Reds - and posted a .907 OPS in 74 plate appearances over 16 games for El Paso.
Multiple reports last Thursday indicated that Akiyama, who turned 34 in April, was considering joining a Nippon Professional Baseball club in Japan. He was a five-time NPB All-Star and six-time Golden Glove winner with the Seibu Lions, and he broke Japan’s single-season record in 2015 with 216 hits.
The Padres signed Akiyama to a minor-league deal in late April.
The Reds announced April 5 that they released Akiyama, who hit .224 for Cincinnati. The team had informed him two days earlier that he would not make its Opening Day roster.
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