Shogo Akiyama

The Cincinnati Reds have no dilemmas when it comes to who should man the corner outfield positions, what with two potential MVP candidates currently manning each of those positions. Center field, however, is a different story. With the return of Shogo Akiyama from the injured list at the beginning of May, manager David Bell has had a tough time trying to get playing time for the second-year outfielder.

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama is not in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against left-hander Brett Anderson and the Milwaukee Brewers. Akiyama will take a seat after driving in the Reds' only run on Tuesday. Scott Heineman will join Jesse Winker and Nick Castellanos in the outfield for Wednesday's contest. Tyler Naquin (hamstring) remains out.

Akiyama went 1-for-2 with an RBI single in a loss to the Brewers on Tuesday. The 33-year-old's second-inning single brought home Tucker Barnhart with the first run of the game for either squad. Akiyama is 3-for-6 over his last two games to get his average back over the Mendoza Line to .217, but his .533 OPS through 51 plate appearances underscores how much he continues to struggle through a season-plus against big-league arms after a successful career in Japan.

GOODYEAR, ARIZONA - FEBRUARY 23: Shogo Akiyama #4 of the Cincinnati Reds walks in the dugout. (Photo by Ralph Freso/Getty Images) The Cincinnati Reds are facing a problem with centerfielder Shogo Akiyama. While it’s not necessarily a bad problem to have, the situation with the Reds’ outfielder is a problem nonetheless. Should the Reds trade Shogo Akiyama midway through his second season with the club?

CHICAGO – Shogo Akiyama has remained upbeat and professional as he spends most games on the bench, but there is nothing easy about it. Akiyama has started only five games since he was activated from the injured list on May 7, the odd man out among the outfielders. This is...

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama is in the starting lineup for Wednesday's game against the San Francisco Giants. Akiyama will start in center field and bat seventh on Wednesday versus right-hander Kevin Gausman and the Giants. Tyler Naquin moves to the bench. numberFire's models project Akiyama for 8.1 FanDuel points...

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama is in the starting lineup for Friday's game against Colorado Rockies. Akiyama will start in left field and bat seventh versus right-hander German Marquez on Friday. Nick Castellanos moves to the bench. numberFire's models project Akiyama for 10.9 FanDuel points on Friday. His salary is...

Being that we live in a microwave society, fans expect any player who’s in the big leagues to have success from the moment they set foot onto a Major League Baseball field. That wasn’t the case with Cincinnati Reds‘ outfielder Shogo Akiyama last season, and fans should expect the same in 2021 after the Japanese-born outfielder missed the majority of spring training.

May 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Cincinnati Reds left fielder Tyler Naquin (12) hits a three run home run. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports. It may be a tough pill to swallow, but Shogo Akiyama may have to get used to riding the pine. Cincinnati Reds slugger Tyler Naquin is hitting too well to share playing time. While Akiyama’s 3-year/$21M contract would suggest otherwise, David Bell must stick with Naquin until the former Cleveland Indians outfielder stops producing.

CLEVELAND, OH - MAY 08: Shogo Akiyama #4 of the Cincinnati Reds grounds into a fielders choice. (Photo by Ron Schwane/Getty Images) David Bell has chosen to sit outfielder Shogo Akiyama for the second consecutive game in favor of Tyler Naquin. Nick Senzel, the Cincinnati Reds Opening Day centerfielder, will get another start at second base and bat leadoff.

The Cincinnati Reds have officially placed first baseman Joey Votto on the 10-day injured list with a fractured thumb that he suffered on Wednesday after he was hit by a pitch by Dallas Keuchel during the game. He’s expected to miss at least a few weeks. Taking his place on the 26-man roster is outfielder Shogo Akiyama.

Shogo Akiyama is set to make his season debut Friday after he was activated from the 10-day injured list, scheduled to bat ninth in the Cincinnati Reds' series opener in Cleveland. Akiyama, who missed the first month of the season with a left hamstring strain, was 1-for-9 with three strikeouts...

Cincinnati Reds outfielder Shogo Akiyama is in the starting lineup for Friday's series opener against right-hander Zach Plesac and the Cleveland Indians. Akiyama will play left field and bat ninth. Jesse Winker will bat second as Cincinnati's designated hitter. numberFire’s models project Winker for 11.3 FanDuel points and he has...

Akiyama (hamstring) was activated from the 10-day injured list and is starting in left field Friday at Cleveland. The 33-year-old will bat ninth in his season debut after missing the first five weeks of the season with a hamstring injury. Akiyama should rotate as a fourth outfielder with Tyler Naquin, who is off to a strong start to the season.