Rays' Yoshi Tsutsugo: Training at home in Japan

Tsutsugo returned to his native Japan approximately one month ago and is training six days a week while spring training remains suspended, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. "He's doing everything that he needs to do in order to be ready whenever the bell rings here to come back and to get things ramped back up here," Rays general manager Erik Neander said.

Tsutsugo initially stayed in the Port Charlotte area after the pause in play was enacted, and he even subsequently extended his time stateside by securing a rental home within the St. Petersburg area. However, when it became evident in late March that no restart of play was imminent, Tsutsugo opted to return to Japan, where he's been involved in hitting, throwing and remote workout sessions with Rays staffer Seiya Sano. Additionally, Tsutsugo is checking in twice weekly by phone with team training staff member Shin Fukuda and reported via e-mail this week that he "feels great and is eager to get back on the field." Although the conditions are naturally far from ideal, Tsutsugo's level of preparation is helped by the fact he's a 10-year veteran of professional baseball courtesy of his decade-long stint with his home country's Yokohama DeNA Bay Stars.