Games from May 21:

Seattle Mariners 6 - Texas Rangers 1
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-4: RBI triple to right, RBI single to center (run scored, advance to third on throwing error by center field), ground out to third (force), strikeout (foul tip). [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports]

Yu Darvish (TEX) started the game and allowed five runs (four earned) over four innings of work.  He took the loss and is now 6-2.  Final line: 4 IP, 96-56 NP-S, 22 BF, 4 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 6 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Yoshinori Tateyama (TEX) entered the game in the bottom of the 6th, with the Rangers down, and gave up a run over two innings of work in relief.  Final line: 2 IP, 37-27 NP-S, 8 BF, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Kansas City Royals 6 - New York Yankees 0
Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and gave up three runs over 5.1 innings of work. He took the loss and dropped to 3-6 on the year.  Final line: 5.1 IP, 103-63 NP-S, 26 BF, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB (1 IBB), 4 SO, 1 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Oakland A's 2 - LA Angels 1
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th with a runner on first, one out, and the A's up 2-1.  Takahashi recorded one one out on a fly out to center.  The second out was picked off at first base.  Final line: 0.2 IP, 4-2 NP-S, 1 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

SF Giants 4 - Milwaukee Brewers 3
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in right and batted second.  He went 0-for-5: bunt ground out to third, strikeout swinging, ground out to third, reaches on fielding error by shortstop (run scored), strikeout swinging, walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Durham 3 - Charlotte 2 (AAA)
Hideki Matsui (DUR) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 1-for-5: fly out to left, fly out to left, GIDP, line out to second, game-winning walk-off RBI single to right. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Las Vegas 10 - Nashville 8 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 9th and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  He also recorded his fourth save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 18-12 NP-S, 5 BF, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR.

===

Komatsu will be maintaining the spokesperson contract they have had with Hideki Matsui (TBR) since 2003.

The Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin has the following update on Matsui:

OF/DH Hideki Matsui seems likely to join the Rays this week, maybe for the weekend series in Boston.

And from the Tampa Bay Times' Joe Smith:

Though there's no official date for DH/OF Hideki Matsui to be called up from Triple-A Durham, Maddon said he and executive VP Andrew Friedman are monitoring him more closely. Maddon said part of the timing is Matsui being ready and the other is need, with the Rays having a lot of left-handed bats. Matsui hit an RBI single in the 10th Monday to lift the Bulls to a 3-2 victory.

===

The latest on Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS), from the Providence Journals Tim Britton:

Daisuke Matsuzaka was officially placed on the 15-day disabled list effective Saturday with a strain in his right trapezius.

Matsuzaka received an injection in that trapezius over the weekend.

"The same area flared up a little maybe three weeks ago. It was the same symptoms," Matsuzaka said through interpreter Jeff Cutler. "It seemed to have cleared up, but it came up again. It restricts my movement when I throw. At this point, that's why I got the shot. Hopefully it gets better from here. MY rehab so far had been going really well, so it is a setback and it is a little disappointing."

===

Yoshinori Tateyama (TEX) made it back to the Majors on Monday.  From MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan:

Yoshinori Tateyama is back in the big leagues.

The Rangers called up Tateyama on Monday from Triple-A Round Rock after placing pitcher Neftali Feliz on the disabled list with a sprained right elbow. Tateyama goes into the bullpen while Scott Feldman will take Feliz's spot in the rotation.

Tateyama, who began the season on the disabled list with tightness in his lower back, pitched in 12 games for Round Rock and was 1-0 with a 0.54 ERA. In 16 2/3 innings, he allowed 12 hits and four walks while striking out 14.

===

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) kept himself busy during Monday's game by catching in the bullpen.

Games from May 20:

Seattle Mariners 6 - Colorado Rockies 4
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-4: strikeout swinging, double to right (run scored), fly out to center, GIDP.  The double was Ichiro's 500th of his career (NPB+MLB). [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Chicago White Sox 6 - Chicago Cubs 0
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started the game in right and batted sixth.  He went 1-for-4: infield single (advanced to second on throwing error by pitcher), ground out to the catcher, ground out to the catcher, strikeout swinging. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

San Diego Padres 3 - LA Angels 2
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the bottom of the 10th, with the scored tied at two, and retired the first two batters he faced before putting the next two on and leaving with runners on first and second and two out.  Final line: 0.2 IP, 13-6 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 16 - Minnesota Twins 4
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Ryan Braun in the bottom of the 7th inning and hit an RBI infield single.  He then came around to score on a grand slam by Jonathan Lucroy.  Aoki took over in left in the top of the 8th. [Nikkan Sports]

Washington Nationals 9 - Baltimore Orioles 3
Wei-Ying Chen (BAL) started the game and gave up six runs (all earned) over 4.1 innings of work.  He took the loss and is now 4-1.  Final line: 4.1 IP, 92-58 NP-S, 23 BF, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, 2 HR. [Sponichi]

Durham 6 - Charlotte 0 (AAA)
Hideki Matsui (DUR) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 1-for-3: sac fly to left, single to right (run scored), strikeout looking, fly out to left. [Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports, Sponichi, Sponichi]

Las Vegas 5 - Memphis 2 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 8th and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 15-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) will miss his next rehab start on May 22 because of tightness that extends from the right side of his neck to his back.  A little more from the Boston Globe's Peter Abraham:

The righthander, whose minor league rehabilitation assignment was due to end on Wednesday, has been shut down because of pain in his right trapezius muscle. Matsuzaka received an injection in the area.

"That's been nagging him for quite a while and we've got to make sure that that's 100 percent before he's going out there again," manager Bobby Valentine said. "I talked to him [Saturday] about it being sore. He said he would maybe pitch through it. They examined him and didn't think it was wise."

And some more from ESPN's Gordon Edes:

The Red Sox have recalled Matsuzaka from his rehab assignment, and he remains on the 15-day disabled list. But he cannot begin a new rehab assignment until seven days after he was "returned from rehab," which the Red Sox did on Saturday.

Major League Baseball must approve any new rehab assignment, which is expected to be a formality, given the injury. As with any rehab assignment, Matsuzaka must give his approval, another expected formality.

===

A brief bit on Tsuyoshi Nishioka (MIN) from the Star Tribune's La Velle E. Neal III:

It's true. Tsuyoshi Nishioka homered yesterday for Class AAA Rochester, and manager Ron Gardenhire said he's getting favorable reports on Nishi's play of late.

Games from May 19:

Seattle Mariners 10 - Colorado Rockies 3
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-5: fly out to center, infield single (run scored), line out to short, ground out to third (force), ground out to short (force, run scored). [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports, Sponichi]

Minnesota Twins 5 - Milwaukee Brewers 4
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Taylor Green in the bottom of the 7th and struck out (foul tip).  Aoki did not remain in the game for the top of the 8th. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

San Diego Padres 3 - LA Angels 2
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game with a runner on second, two out, and the Angels down 3-2 in the bottom of the 7th.  He retired the one batter he faced.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 2-2 NP-S, 1 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Charlotte 7 - Durham 1 (AAA)
Hideki Matsui (DUR) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 0-for-4: strikeout swinging, fly out to right, fly out to center, strikeout swinging. [Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports, Sponichi]

Rochester 6 - Gwinnett 4 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted first.  He went 1-for-5: line out to first, reaches on fielding error (E4), two-run homer (1) to right, pop out to short, fly out to center. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) threw about thirty pitches in the bullpen on Saturday in preparation for his next start on May 21.

Games from May 17:

Cleveland Indians 6 - Seattle Mariners 5 [Sponichi, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 0-for-6: fly out to left, ground out to first, fly out to center, ground out to short, line out to short, ground out to short. [Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) entered the game as a pinch-runner for Justin Smoak in the top of the 10th and remained in the game at second in the bottom of the 10th. [Nikkan Sports]

Chicago White Sox 6 - LA Angels 1
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the top of the 6th, with the Angels down 4-0, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 20-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Houston Astros 4 - Milwaukee Brewers 0
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted first.  He went 3-for-4: ground out to second, double to right, single to right, HBP, single to center. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Durham 5 - Pawtucket 0 (AAA) [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]
Hideki Matsui (DUR) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 0-for-3: ground out to first (force), fly out to left, reaches on catcher interference (run scored), fly out to center. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Daisuke Matsuzaka (PAW) started the game and allowed five runs (four earned) on seven hits over 6.2 innings of work.  Final line: 6.2 IP, 95-64 NP-S, 28 BF, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 2 HR, 1 HBP. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Louisville 4 - Rochester 2 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: ground out to first, fly out to left, single to center, strikeout swinging, walk. [Nikkan Sports]

===

The Hideki Matsui - Daisuke Matsuzaka game will be shown on J-Sports 2/3 in Japan at 6pm today and against a 8am on Saturday.

===

The Durham Bulls plan to begin selling Hideki Matsui (TBR) t-shirts on Friday for $24.99.

Depending on how things turn out, Matsui could join the MLB roster as early as May 22.

===

Yu Darvish's (TEX) next start will come on May 21 against the Seattle Mariners.  Darvish will be going for his 100th career victory (currently at ninety-three NPB victories and six MLB victories).

Incidentally, Darvish tweeted that he threw at about seventy to eighty percent during his last start in order to give hitters something else to think about.

Games from May 14:

Boston Red Sox 6 - Seattle Mariners 1
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-4: ground out to second, infield single (deflected by pitcher), ground out to second (force), single to left (run scored). [Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Oakland A's 5 - LA Angels 0
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the top of the 7th, with the Angels down 4-0, and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 16-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR.  [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

New York Mets 3 - Milwaukee Brewers 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Jose Veras in the top of the 8th and grounded out to third.  He remained in the game and took over in center in the bottom of the 8th. [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports, Sponichi]

Columbus 5 - Pawtucket 3 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the top of the 7th inning and tossed two shutout inning.  Final line: 2 IP, 26-18 NP-S, 6 BF, 0 H , 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Tacoma 13 - Round Rock 6 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th inning and did not allow a run over two innings of work.  Final line: 2 IP, 35-23 NP-S, 8 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 5 - New Orleans 3 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th and tossed two shutout innings in relief.  Final line: 2 IP, 30-17 NP-S, 7 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Sponichi mentions that the Durham Bulls are preparing Hideki Matsui (TBR) merchandise, like t-shirts.

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) threw forty pitches in the bullpen at Fenway Park on Monday in preparation for his next rehab Triple-A start on May 17.  Matsuzaka also chatted with Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) for about twenty minutes.

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) threw over thirty pitches in the bullpen on Monday in preparation for his next start on May 16 (vs Oakland).

===

The Consul General of Japan in Boston presented the Boston Red Sox with a cherry blossom tree during pre-game ceremonies on Monday.  From the Red Sox's press release:

In honor of Fenway Park's 100th anniversary, the Consul General of Japan in Boston, Takeshi Hikihara, will today present the Boston Red Sox with a cherry blossom tree during the pre-game ceremony before tonight's game against the Seattle Mariners. Red Sox President/CEO Larry Lucchino, Manager Bobby Valentine, and Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will accept the cherry blossom tree on behalf of the organization.

In addition to celebrating Fenway Park's 100th anniversary, the gift also marks the 100th anniversary of Japan's original gift of 3,000 cherry trees from Mayor of Tokyo, Yukio Ozaki, to Washington, D.C. in 1912. The cherry trees in Washington, D.C. have become a symbol of the warm relations between the two countries. 

Games from May 8:

Detroit Tigers 6 - Seattle Mariners 4
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batetd third.  He went 1-for-4: pop out to second, RBI single to right (run scored), fly out to left, fly out to second, IBB. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Chicago White Sox 5 - Cleveland Indians 3
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Dayan Viciedo in the top of the 10th inning and flied out to center.  Fukudome took over in left in the bottom of the 10th. [Nikkan Sports]

Minnesota Twins 4 - LA Angels 0
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th (runner on first, two out, and the Angels down 4-0) and got Joe Mauer to ground out to second to end the inning.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 3-1 NP-S, 1 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Texas Rangers 10 - Baltimore Orioles 3
Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the game in the bottom of the 7th inning (Rangers up 8-1) and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 15-11 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 8 - Cincinnati Reds 3
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a defensive replacement in left in the top of the 9th inning. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Round Rock 11 - Salt Lake 9
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th and gave up three runs (none earned) over an inning of work.  Final line: 1 IP, 24-17 NP-S, 6 BF, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 1 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Ichiro Suzuki, Munenori Kawasaki, and Hisashi Iwakuma visited an elementary school on Tuesday as part of the Seattle Mariners D.R.E.A.M. program.

===

Kosuke Fukudome's (CWS) single to center in the 7th inning of Monday's game against the Cleveland Indians (Game 1) was the 7,000th hit collected by a Japanese player.  Masanori Murakami collected the first hit on June 29, 1965.

Japanese players are also three homers away from 500.

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) wore the number fifty-five during practice on Tuesday.  During situational batting practice, Matsui was the starting DH and batted third -- he collected a two-run double to right-center in his first at bat, grounded out to first in his second at bat, and flied out to center in his third at bat.

Matsui faced Bryan Augenstein during batting practice on Monday and collected two hits (eight swings) on fourteen pitches.

===

WEEI's Alex Speier provides the following update on Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS):

While Matsuzaka reported no problems in the neck issue that delayed his latest outing by a few days, he acknowledged that his rebuilt elbow varies on a day-to-day basis. That being the case, he did not exude certainty about whether he might be ready to return to the majors with another couple of starts.

"Overall, my body feels good, so that's fine, but my elbow, depending on the day — some days it feels better than others. Right now, I'm hoping when I start, it hits the day I'm feeling good," he told reporters. "Regarding being ready in two more games, it's hard to say because it's a step-by-step process, a game-by-game process. I'll just go see how I pitch my next outing and see how that goes and see where I stand then."

===

Tomochika Tsuboi will continue his playing career with the San Rafael Pacifics (North American Baseball League).  Tsuboi will head to the States last this month.

Games from May 7:

Seattle Mariners 3 - Detroit Tigers 2 [Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-3: double to right, line out to short, pop out to second, walk (run scored). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) entered the game as a pinch-runner for Jesus Montero in the bottom of the 9th and came around to score the walk-off run. [Nikkan Sports]

Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) entered the game in the top of the 4th, with Seattle down 1-0, and allowed a run over three innings of work.  Final line: 3 IP, 48-35 NP-S, 12 BF, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 8 - Chicago White Sox 6 (Game 1)
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in left and batted eighth.  He went 1-for-2: ground out to short, sac fly to left, single to center.  Fukudome was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the 9th. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 3 - Chicago White Sox 2 (Game 2)
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in left and batted sixth.  He went 0-for-3: strikeout swinging, ground out to second, ground out to second.  Fukudome was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the 9th. [Sponichi]

LA Angels 8 - Minnesota Twins 3
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the 7th, with the Angels up 5-1, and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 9-7 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cincinnati Reds 6 - Milwaukee Brewers 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted first.  He went 0-for-4: fly out to left, ground out to first, strikeout looking, fly out to right. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Pawtucket 4 - Rochester 0 (AAA)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (PAW) started the game and did not allow a run over 4.2 innings of work.  He topped out at 92mph (~148km/h).  FInal line: 4.2 IP, 87-49 NP-S, 20 BF, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 7 - Salt Lake 6 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 8th and retired the side in order.  He got the win and is now 1-1 on the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 16-12 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui's (TBR) workouts on Monday included fielding practice in left, base-running, and batting practice (fourteen pitches, eight swings).

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) could return to the Majors for a start against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 17, which would be ten days ahead of schedule.

===

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (MIN) might be able to play in his first rehab game some time this week.

===

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) caught Kevin Millwood's bullpen session on Sunday (about fifteen minutes, worked signs in partway through).

===

Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL) was shifted over to the sixty-day DL.

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) kept his workouts on Monday light (running, playing catch).  His next start will likely come against the LA Angels on May 11.

Games from April 24:

Seattle Mariners 7 - Detroit Tigers 4 [Nikkan Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 3-for-5: pop out to second, infield single (run scored), single to right, line out to center, single to center (stole third, run scored). [Sponichi]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) started at short and batted ninth.  He went 1-for-4: strikeout looking, fly out to center, bunt single, ground out to first.  Kawasaki also made a nice play at short in the third.  [Sponichi]

Texas Rangers 2 - New York Yankees 0 [Sponichi, Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports]
Yu Darvish (TEX) started the game for Texas and did not allow a run over 8.1 innings of work.  Final line: 8.1 IP, 119-82 NP-S, 33 BF, 7 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 10 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game for the Yankees and gave up two runs (both earned) on five hits over 6.2 innings of work.  Final line: 6.2 IP, 107-64 NP-S, 26 BF, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO, 1 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Oakland A's 2 - Chicago White Sox 0
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Brent Lillibridge in the top of the 9th and hit a single to center. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Tampa Bay Rays 5 - LA Angles 0
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th with no one on, two out, and the Angels down 5-0.  Takahashi struck out Ben Zobrist to end the inning and retired the side in order in the bottom of the 8th.  Final line: 1.1 IP, 18-12 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 9 - Houston Astros 6
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Randy Wolf in the bottom of the 6th and flied out to right.  He did not remain in the game for the top of the 7th. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Round Rock 7 - New Orleans 1 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 19-11 NP-S, 5 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Colorado Springs 11 - Las Vegas 6 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) gave up a run on one hit over 1.1 innings of work.  Final line: 1.1 IP, 21-14 NP-S, 6 BF, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

===

The Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin posted the following update on Hideki Matsui:

An expected minor-league deal with former All-Star OF/DH Hideki Matsui could be finalized today, with the Rays declining comment until then. Matsui, 37, will head eventually to Triple-A Durham, where the Rays will see if/how well he hits, then if they have a need.

Matsui may have to part with the number fifty-five since the number belongs to Matt Moore.  Sponichi notes a handful of numbers that are open, like 10, 13, 22, 24, 29, 44, and 66.

===

Sponichi is carrying the following comments from Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS), taken after his rehab start on Monday:

You threw fewer than the seventy pitches you were slated to throw.

I did throw [twenty-six] pitches in the 1st inning.  It would have been [seventy pitches] if I was getting through innings with fifteen or fewer pitches.  Twenty to twenty-five pitches meant cutting back on inning.

What did you think of the outing?

Knowing how they hit what I throw.  That is important.  And it is about what kind of adjustments I make for the next game.

Did you feel more comfortable the more innings you threw?

I started running out of steam at around the 4th inning the last time.  That I did not have that this time around, I think that means I am making progress.

Did Valentine say anything to you?

He said they did not want me to feel rushed.  Rushing is not good for me or for the team and it does no one any good if I am not 100% ready.  I want to use the time I have in the minors as best I can.

Matsuzaka is scheduled to make his second rehab start at Double-A Portland on April 28.

===

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (MIN) was placed on the seven-day disabled list.  From MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger:

Nishioka injured his ankle sliding into third base on a triple on Friday. He was hitting .203 with eight walks in 16 games before the injury.

"Nishi has a high ankle sprain, but I'm not sure how many days [he'll be out]," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "So right now, [Brian] Dozier is the main guy in the infield. We'll let him get more at-bats."

===

The latest on Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL), from the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly:

Left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, who has not yet thrown a pitch for the Orioles, had an MRA on his ailing left elbow Tuesday and it showed ligament damage, according to manager Buck Showalter.

"Wada has an elbow issue, problems with the ligament, the MRA showed. We will contemplate, along with him, what the next direction (is) to take," Showalter said. "But it showed some damage in there with the ligament that didn’t show up in the physical he took when he signed."

Showalter would not go into specifics, but it can be assumed that Wada has at least a partial tear in the ligament. If that is the case, he could require rest and rehab or surgery – but either way he is likely to be shelved for an elongated period.

Games from April 18:

Seattle Mariners 4 - Cleveland Indians 1 [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third. He went 1-for-3: solo homer to right (1), walk, fly out to center, fly out to center (runner doubled off first). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) started at second and batted eighth.  He went 0-for-3: line out to second, walk (caught trying to steal second), pop out to short, ground out to first. [Nikkan Sports]

Minnesota Twins 6 - New York Yankees 5
Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and gave up six runs over 4.1 innings of work.  Final line: 4.1 IP, 81-52 NP-S, 23 BF, 10 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 0 BB, 4 SO, 2 HR. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Chicago White Sox 8 - Baltimore Orioles 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) start in left and batted seventh.  He went 0-for-3: walk, strikeout swinging, strikeout swinging, fly out to left. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Oakland A's 6 - LA Angels 0
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the top of the 9th, with the bases loaded, two out, and the Angels down 6-0.  Takahashi got Daric Barton to fly out to right to end the inning.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 7-4 NP-S, 1 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 3 - LA Dodgers 2
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Zack Greinke in the bottom of the 7th and struck out looking.  Aoki did not remain in the game after the at bat. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Omaha 4 - Round Rock 0 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the 9th inning and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 28-17 NP-S, 5 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Scranton/WB 2 - Rochester 0 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted second.  He went 1-for-3: strikeout swinging, single to left, ground out to second. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

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Takashi Saito (ARI) is scheduled to pitch in two games at Single-A Visalia on April 19 and 21.  Assuming everything goes well, he could be join the MLB roster on April 23.

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Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) visited Fenway Park on Wednesday to give the team an update on his progress.  He also played catch in the outfield for over thirty minutes -- he threw off-speed pitches during the shorter distances and expanded things out to a max eighty meters.

Matsuzaka is currently slated to toss a bullpen session in front of the brass on Friday.  After that, he will return to Florida for a minor league game on April 23.

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The latest on Junichi Tazawa (BOS), from MLB.com:

The Red Sox made a couple moves involving pitchers Monday, announcing that Junichi Tazawa will be activated and Rich Hill will be placed on the 60-day disabled list. Tazawa, who had been on the 60-day disabled list while recovering from elbow surgery, will be optioned to Double-A Portland.

... Tazawa may provide a fitting template for Hill's recovery. The 25-year-old had reconstructive surgery on his elbow last April and missed the rest of the season. Tazawa started the 2011 season on the 60-day disabled list and began a rehabilitation assignment with Class A Salem on May 20.

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Yu Darvish (TEX) threw thirty-nine pitches in the bullpen on Wednesday.

Games from April 15:

Seattle Mariners 5 - Oakland A's 3
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-4: single to left, ground out to short, RBI double to right, ground out to the pitcher. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Detroit Tigers 5 - Chicago White Sox 2
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in right and batted seventh.  He went 0-for-4: fly out to center, ground out to first, line out to third, ground out to first. [Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports]

New York Yankees 11 - LA Angels 5
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the bottom of the 3rd inning with a runner on second, two out, and the Angels down 5-1.  Takahashi retired Raul Ibanez on two pitches to get out of the inning, but surrendered a three-run homer to Derek Jeter in the bottom of the 4th.  He left in the bottom of the 5th with a runner on third and two out. Final line: 2 IP, 50-34 NP-S, 10 BF, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 1 HR. [Sponichi]

Atlanta Braves 7 - Milwaukee Brewers 4
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Manny Parra in the top of the 8th and flied out to left.  He remained in the game and took over in center in the bottom of the inning. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Round Rock 11 - Iowa 10 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the top of the 12th with runners on first and third and retired Ty Wright to get out of the inning without allowing any runs to score.  He also retired the side in order in the 13th.  Final line: 1.1 IP, 10-7 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR.  Tateyama got the victory and is now 1-0. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Lehigh Valley 3 - Rochester 1 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted second.  He went 0-for-4: ground out to second, strikeout (foul tip), ground out to short, fly out to left. [Sanspo, Nikkan Sports]

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Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) threw thirty-six pitches in the bullpen on Sunday.

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Norichika Aoki (MIL) on sliding head-first into first on Sunday, via Sponichi: "It just happened.  It was a close play and my emotions got the better of me."