Yoshitomo Tsutsugo returns to Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Yoshitomo Tsutsugo has returned to the United States, per general manager Erik Neander.

What It Means:

Tsutsugo left for his native Japan after MLB shut down in March due to the beer bug. He's part of the Rays' 37-man group that will train at Tropicana Field over the next month. Tsutsugo signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Rays this offseason after smacking 29 homers with an .899 OPS over 131 games last season for the Yokohama Bay Stars of Nippon Professional Baseball. The 28-year-old is expected to see regular playing time between designated hitter, left field, first base, and third base.

numberFire's models project Tsutsugo to bat .238 with 3 homers, 15 RBI, and 14 runs scored in 141 plate appearances this season. Per FanDuel Sportsbook, the Rays have the sixth-best odds (+1700) to win the 2020 World Series.