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Top Munenori Kawasaki News
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Munenori Kawasaki: Set to retire
Kawasaki will retire after being released by the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan on Monday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Kawasaki last played in Major League Baseball in 2016 for the Cubs. He hit .237/.320/.289 in 276 games over his five-year major-league career.
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Munenori Kawasaki: Will return to Japan
Kawasaki will return to Japan to play for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks, Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune reports.
The 35-year-old infielder was released by the Cubs on Tuesday after appearing in 14 games for the club last year. Kawasaki put together a solid spring, compiling a .282 average and seven RBI over 17 games, but it appears he won't have any fantasy impact as he returns to his home country.
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Munenori Kawasaki: Released by Cubs
Kawasaki was released by the Cubs on Tuesday, the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports.
The Cubs would have liked to keep Kawasaki in the organization, but he may have a better opportunity elsewhere. Regardless of where he ends up, his primary contributions will be infield defense and an excellent presence in the clubhouse, neither of which are rewarded in the majority of fantasy leagues.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Collects two hits Monday
Kawasaki started at shortstop and went 2-for-3 with four RBI in Monday's spring training victory over the Angels.
With Addison Russell out of the lineup again nursing a sore left arm, Kawasaki had a big day at the plate, The 35-year-old is fighting to make the 25-man roster out of spring training, but if he doesn't, he figures to be a reliable veteran option the Cubs can call on down the road.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Recalled from Triple-A
Kawasaki was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.
The 35-year-old didn't exactly kick the door in with Iowa -- he hit just .255/.352/.312 with the top affiliate -- but he can play the middle infield positions and is a clubhouse favorite. He will likely be used sparingly down the stretch.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Optioned to Triple-A
Kawasaki was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday.
The 35-year-old infielder has seen just 38 big league plate appearances since the start of the 2015 season, and sticks around primarily because of his defensive versatility and his excellent presence in the clubhouse. He will return to serving as organizational depth at Iowa.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Recalled by Cubs
Kawasaki was recalled by the Cubs on Saturday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The Cubs sent Jeimer Candelario back down to Triple-A in a corresponding move Saturday. Kawasaki, who hasn't been up with the Cubs since the first week of the season, will add versatility and a left-handed bat to the Chicago bench.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Hitless in Sunday's loss
Kawasaki scored a run while going 0-for-3 in Sunday's loss to Triple-A Colorado Springs.
After a brief two game appearance with the Cubs after Kyle Schwarber suffered his season ending injury, Kawasaki has returned to Triple-A Iowa, where he's had a positive impact on the team. Kawasaki has played in 12 games and has an OBP of .364, courtesy of his ability to draw walks. If the Cubs need additional infield depth, Kawasaki could be a viable option, especially if he continues to regularly get on base.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Optioned to Triple-A
The Cubs optioned Kawasaki to Triple-A Iowa on Friday, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Kawasaki was recalled last week to fill the roster spot of the injured Kyle Schwarber (knee), but he will head back to Iowa with Javier Baez rejoining the big club on Friday. Kawasaki will garner consideration next time the Cubs need to call up an infielder from the minors.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Recalled by Cubs
Kawasaki will be recalled to take Kyle Schwarber's spot on the roster, the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer reports.
He will serve as infield depth and a highly valued clubhouse presence until Javier Baez (thumb) is ready to come off the DL, likely later this month, at which point Kawasaki will likely be sent back to Triple-A.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Could be called up when Schwarber goes on DL
Kawasaki is likely to be called up when Kyle Schwarber is placed on the DL, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
The Cubs may opt to play Kris Bryant a bit in left field, meaning Kawasaki could see extensive playing time at the hot corner. It's far more likely that Jorge Soler and Matt Szczur will share left field, Bryant stays at third, and Kawasaki just backs up various infielders.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Lands on 40-man roster
The Cubs added Kawasaki to the 40-man roster Sunday and optioned the infielder to Triple-A Iowa, Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago reports.
During four seasons between the Mariners' and Blue Jays' organizations, Kawasaki has logged the majority of his time at second base and shortstop, but third base has been his domain on occasion. With Javier Baez (thumb) landing on the DL to open the season, Kawasaki will serve as insurance in case another injury occurs to the Cubs' infield. If he does make an appearance with the big club, Kawasaki will be looking to parlay a spring slash line of .375/.455/.563 in 48 at-bats into regular season success, though he's known far more for his deftness with the glove.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Re-signs with Cubs
Kawasaki re-signed with the Cubs on Tuesday, Patrick Mooney of CSN Chicago reports.
Kawasaki was among three Cubs released earlier on Tuesday, but all three eventually signed minor league deals with the club later in the day. The 34-year-old likely won't make much of an impact on the major league level this year, but will provide organizational depth in the middle of the infield.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Released on Tuesday
Kawasaki was released by the Cubs on Tuesday, CSN Chicago's Patrick Mooney reports.
Even with Javier Baez (thumb) potentially unavailable, the 34-year-old Kawasaki wasn't expected to make the Opening Day roster. He could still re-sign with Chicago before the season to help with organizational infield depth.
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Cubs' Munenori Kawasaki: Could make team if Baez not ready
Kawasaki could make the Cubs out of camp if Javier Baez (thumb) isn't ready, Carrie Muskat of the Cubs' official site reports. "He's very much a viable option," manager Joe Maddon said of Kawasaki.
Baez has not played since March 20, but he's not expected to need much more time off. Kawasaki's best hopes of making the team are if Baez or Tommy La Stella (calf) need a short stint on the DL.
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Player Bio
| HT/WT: 5-11, 170 lbs |
| Birthplace: Kagoshima, Japan |
| Age: 42 |
| Experience: 5 |
| Bats/Throws: L, R |