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 18:

Seattle Mariners 4 - Colorado Rockies
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batter third.  He went 2-for-4: ground out to short, single to left, single to center (stole second and advanced to third on throwing error E2, run scored), ground out to first. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Texas Rangers 4 - Houston Astros 1
Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th, with the Rangers up 4-1, and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 13-8 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports] 

Minnesota Twins 11 - Milwaukee Brewers 3
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted second.  He went 2-for-4: single to left, RBI double to center, ground out to the pitcher, ground out to second. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Durham 6 - Pawtucket 5 (AAA) [Nikkan Sports]
Hideki Matsui (DUR) started in left and batted fourth.  He went 0-for-3: pop out to third, strikeout swinging, walk, ground out to first.  Matsui also threw out Alex Hassan at home plate on a fly out to left in the top of the 2nd. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th and allowed four runs (none earned) over 1.2 innings of work.  He took the loss (including his first blown save) and is now 0-1.  Final line: 1.2 IP, 34-22 NP-S, 12 BF, 4 H, 4 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Fresno 5 - Round Rock 2 (AAA)
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the top of the 8th and tossed two shutout innings in relief.  Final line: 2 IP,  21-18 NP-S, 7 BF, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Memphis 9 - Las Vegas 6 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 8th and did not allow a run over an inning of work.  Final line: 1 IP, 14-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Rochester 5 - Louisville 3 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted first.  He went 1-for-4: fly out to right, single to left (run scored), ground out to short, walk (run scored), ground out to third (force). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Brad Penny signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants.  From the SF Chronicle's John Shea:

Brad Penny is a Giant again. Well, at least he’s a Giants minor-leaguer. The pitcher who  went 4-1 with a 2.59 ERA in six September starts for the 2009 Giants, signed a minor-league deal and will report to extended spring training on Monday.

The Giants see him as a possible reliever. Brian Wilson is done for the season, and Guillermo Mota is serving a 100-game drug suspension.

There's also a short bit about Japan:

On Japan: "It just didn't work out. He wasn't happy where he was over there. He wanted to come back here. The shoulder or elbow, that's not an issue. He showed it today in the bullpen. We'll make sure he is healthy and make sure he will help us. It'll take a little time. When he thinks he's ready and he thinks he's ready, it'll be a mutual agreement, and we'll have him here to help us."

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 9:

Seattle Mariners 2 - Detroit Tigers 1
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-3: strikeout swinging, single to center (stole second, run scored), fly out to left. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Chicago White Sox 8 - Cleveland Indians 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Adam Dunn in the top of the 9th and struck out swinging. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cincinnati Reds 2 - Milwaukee Brewers 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Taylor Green in the bottom of the 9th and hit a single  to left. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Pawtucket 5 - Rochester 2 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the top of the 8th and retired all three batters he faced.  Final line: 1 IP, 10-7 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 2 - Oklahoma City 1 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the bottom of the 10th and retired the side in order for his third save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 17-10 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) wore a double ear flap batting helmet during batting practice on Tuesday.  For Matsui, the double ear flap batting helmet was apparently a first time since elementary school.

On Wednesday, Matsui played in a minor league practice game against the Minnesota Twins and went 2-for-4 with a walk and one RBI: infield single, single to center, walk, ground out to second, ground out to second.

Matsui is scheduled to DH in Thursday's game and could get a start in left on Friday.

If Matsui gets called up to the Majors, his salary will be about US$900,000 (~72M yen).  From the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin:

The Times obtained some details on Hideki Matsui's contract, and the Rays got somewhat of a bargain: If called up to the majors, Matsui will make a salary of about $900,000, well below his previous earnings (he made $4.25-million last season with Oakland, his lowest of his career). While at Triple-A Durham, he will make $10,000 a month, low for a veteran in the minors. He has an interpreter and manager/PR man that also get paid.

===

Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) could get his first regular season MLB start on April 13 (vs NYY).

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) threw thirty-one pitches in the bullpen.  Partway through the session, a staff member also stood in the batter's box (both sides).

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 May 5:

Seattle Mariners 7 - Minnesota Twins 0
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-2: walk, GIDP, walk (run scored), two-run triple to right (run scored). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Kansas City Royals 3 - New York Yankees 1
Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits over 4.1 innings of work.  He took the loss and dropped to 2-4.  Final line: 4.1 IP, 91-54 NP-S, 23 BF, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Chicago White Sox 3 - Detroit Tigers 2
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Dayan Viciedo in the top of the 8th.  He went 0-for-1: ground out to second.  Fukudome remained in the game and took over in left in the bottom of the 8th. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

San Francisco Giants 5 - Milwaukee Brewers 2
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted first.  He went 0-for-5: fly out to center, fly out to center, fly out to left, fly out to right, ground out to short (force). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 4 - Salt Lake 2 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 9th and retired the side in order for his second save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 10-6 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) faced minor league pitchers during live batting practice on Saturday for the first time since September 28, 2011.  He ended up going 3-for-9 (he faced Zachary Quate and Alex Colome; saw a total thirty-one pitches and swung the bat fourteen times).

Matsui was slated to play in his first game on May 7, but it seems that has been pushed back a day until at least May 8.  The top priority for the team is to make sure Matsui is 100% when they call him up.

Matsui also started taking fielding practice on Friday at about full-speed.

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka's (BOS) next start has been delayed to neck pains.  NESN's Didier Morais posted the following update:

"He had a little neck issue that we wanted to make sure felt perfect before he threw a 'pen again," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. "So we kept pushing the 'pen back."

The pain resides on the left side of Matsuzaka's neck, which affects his pitching mechanics out of the stretch. If Matsuzaka pitches a clean bullpen session on either Friday or Saturday, he could be poised to start for Pawtucket on Monday.

Games from May 2:

Tampa Bay Rays 5 - Seattle Mariners 4
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-3: walk (run scored), strikeout swinging, single to center, bunt single. [Sponichi, Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 6 - Chicago White Sox 3
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Brent Morel in the bottom of the 9th inning and flied out to left to end the game. [Nikkan Sports]

Toronto Blue Jays 11 - Texas Rangers 5
Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 10-8 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 12 - Reno 4 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game with no out and the bases loaded in the bottom of the 7th inning. Igarashi gave up a two-run double to the first batter he faced before retiring the next three in order.  He faced and retired two more batters in the bottom of the 8th before getting replaced by Chad Beck.  Final line: 1.2 IP, 35-24 NP-S, 6 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi]

===

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) suited up in catcher's gear during pre-game practice on Wednesday.  The Seattle Times' Larry Stone has more:

With Miguel Olivo's injury, the Mariners' catching corps is down to Jesus Montero and John Jaso. And considering that Montero is still going to see a lot of time at designated hitter, and is also a candidate to be removed for a pinch-runner late in games, manager Eric Wedge feels compelled to identify an emergency third catcher.

Brendan Ryan lobbied for the job, but the manager settled on reserve infielder Munenori Kawasaki.

"He's the first guy that came to mind," Wedge said. "I guess that covers about everything. He has good hands, he's a good athlete. He's more than willing and able to do anything."

===

The latest on Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL), from MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli:

Orioles left-hander Tsuyoshi Wada, who had an MRI exam and a CT scan on his left elbow during a visit to Dr. Lewis Yocum, has decided to undergo Tommy John surgery. The procedure will be performed May 11 in Los Angeles by Yocum.

"I am very disappointed," Wada said. "I will work hard for the rehab and try to recover to be as strong as I can to help the team win. I appreciate the support from the Orioles through this process."

Wei-Ying Chen (BAL) offered the following comments on Wada, via Sponichi: "This is sad.  I think rehab will be difficult.  I want him to get better and return to the team as soon as possible. ... The training in the US is different from Japan so if you get hurt, it can not be helped. ... Getting hurt overseas and going under the knife can can make things a lot more difficult than if you have surgery in your own home country."

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) was named Rookie of the Month for April.  A snip from MLB.com:

...right-hander Yu Darvish was named Rookie of the Month in voting by writers and broadcasters.

... Darvish became just the sixth rookie starter since 1957 to win at least four games without a loss in April. He was 4-0 in five starts in his first Major League action, tying for the league lead in wins. He was also among the league leaders in ERA (sixth, 2.18) and strikeouts (tied for fifth, 33). Darvish is just the third Rangers player to win AL Rookie of the Month since it was first awarded in 2003. Gerald Laird won in 2004 and Neftali Feliz took home honors in 2010. Hamilton has won a club-record four Player of the Month awards: in April and May of 2008 and June 2010. Rafael Palmeiro and Alex Rodriguez both won three.

Darvish's next start will be against the Cleveland Indians on May 6.

Habikino City, Osaka mayor Tsuguo Kitagawa told reporters that the mayor of Arlington, Texas mayor Robert Cluck sent him an invitation to visit the city some time during the season.

Habikino City is where Darvish grew up.

Games from April 30:

Tampa Bay Rays 3 - Seattle Mariners 2 [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 3-for-6: infield single, pop out to third, pop out to short, single to left, single to center, ground out to first. [Sponichi]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) entered the game as a pinch-runner for Kyle Seager in the top of the 9th inning.  He remained in the game (took over at short) and went 0-for-1: ground out to third (bunt). [Sponichi]

New York Yankees 2 - Baltimore Orioles 1
Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and gave up one run on four hits over seven innings of work.  He won the game and is now 2-3 on the year.  Final line: 7 IP, 87-52 NP-S, 24 BF, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO,  0 HR, 1 WP, 1 HBP. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Boston Red Sox 11 - Oakland A's 6
Junichi Tazawa (BOS) entered the game in the top of the 7th with no one on, two out, and the Red Sox up 11-6.  Tazawa faced three batters and could not get anyone out: single, HBP, E5 (fielding error). Final line: 0.0 IP, 13-7 NP-S, 3 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 1 HBP. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Texas Rangers 4 - Toronto Blue Jays 1
Yu Darvish (TEX) started the game and gave up one run (solo homer to Edwin Encarnacion in the bottom of the 4th) on four hits over seven innings of work.  He got the victory and improved to 4-0.  Final line: 7 IP, 97-62 NP-S, 27 BF, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO, 1 HR, 1 HBP. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Las Vegas 8 - Reno 7 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the bottom of the 9th and tossed a shutout inning for his first save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 14-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

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The Tampa Bay Rays signed Hideki Matsui to a minor league contract.  A snip:

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed outfielder/designated hitter Hideki Matsui to a minor league contract.  The left-handed hitter will report to extended spring training at the Charlotte Sports Park complex in Charlotte County, Fla.

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Bobby Valentine told reporters on Monday that Daisuke Matsuzaka's (BOS) next rehab start will likely take place at AAA Pawtucket on May 4 (dependent on the weather).

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The Journal Sentinel's Todd Rosiak has the following quote from Milwaukee Brewers' manager Ron Roenicke on Norichika Aoki (MIL), taken on April 28:

"We've got three guys right now that I'd like to get in there a lot, and it's going to be tough to do it," Roenicke said. "I want to give (Aoki) more games, too. This guy is really growing on us. It's just trying to figure out how to do it isn't easy."

Games from April 29:

Toronto Blue Jays 7 - Seattle Mariners 2 [Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 0-for-4: fly out to left, fly out to center, ground out to second, ground out to third. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) started at short and batted ninth.  He went 1-for-3: walks, ground out to third, single to left, pop out to third. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Chicago White Sox 4 - Boston Red Sox 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in left and batted seventh.  He went 0-for-3: ground out to first, fly out to left, ground out to first, walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Junichi Tazawa (BOS) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th, with runners on first and second, two out, and the Red Sox down 3-1.  Tazawa allowed one of the two runners to score before retiring Eduardo Escobar for the final out of the inning.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 9-6 NP-S, 2 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 3 - St. Louis Cardinals 2
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Zack Greinke in the top of the 7th and hit a single to center.  He did not remain in the game for the bottom of the bottom of the 7th. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 5 - Tacoma 2 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game with two out in the top of the 8th and retired the one batter he faced.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 1-1 NP-S, 1 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]