PORT CHARLOTTE — There is additional buzz around the first full squad workout in Rays camp because it also marks the official debut of free-agent addition Yoshi Tsutsugo.
More than 20 journalists representing web sites and publications in his native Japan are here today. And it happened to be the same day that MLB Network and Ken Rosenthal are in attendance as part of their camp tour, in addition to ESPN’s Buster Olney.
Tsutsugo and the other hitters are slated to take some live batting practice off pitchers during the workout that starts at 11 a.m., and then regular batting practice off the coaches.
Rays players are also curious to see Tsutsugo, whom the team signed to a two-year, $12 million contract, plus paid another $2.4 million to his former Yokohama team.
Team co-MVP Austin Meadows went to YouTube to watch videos of Tsutsugo after the Rays signed him in December.
“I’ve watched his highlights and he’s a beast so were excited to have him over here,” Meadows said. “I’ve talked to him a little bit, he seems like a great guy. … We’re definitely excited to have him. I’m looking forward to seeing him out there in that uniform and getting to know him.”
Willy Adames is also intrigued.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him,” Adames said. “We expect a lot from him. No pressure though. I think he’s going to help us to win a lot of games. He’s a big thing — he’s got his own translator, he’s got his own trainer, whatever. He seems like a cool dude, that he’s going to be like a funny guy in the clubhouse. I’m looking forward to seeing him succeed.”
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Photos: Rays take the field for spring training workout
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