PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. _ Most likely, Yoshi Tsutsugo at some point will make an out.
But two exhibition games into his Rays career, Tsutsugo has yet to be retired, following up his single and a walk debut with another walk Monday and his first homer.
Tsutsugo, properly, didn't make much of the lofted shot off Jeffrey Springs to the left of center in the 2-2 tie with Boston, though he did acknowledge that hits off lefty pitchers are always good.
"The home runs in the season are the ones that count," he said, via interpreter Louis Chao.
Manager Kevin Cash said Tsutsugo "looks good," noting, "we're all really happy with the presence that he has when he walks up to the plate, and the discipline he has to lay off tight pitches. He's been pitched pretty tight but he's not going off the plate trying to expand with the pitcher. That's the most encouraging thing."
Also, Cash noted, how quickly he has become comfortable with his new teammates.
"That's a good sign," he said.
When Tsutsugo crossed the plate after the homer, shortstop Willy Adames greeted him with a slight bow, that Tsutsugo returned.
Tsutsugo played his usual left field on Sunday and was the designated hitter on Monday. The plans are for him to be off Tuesday and on Wednesday play third base, the first test in the Rays' spring experiment to see if he can be used there at least occasionally. He started doing pre-game work with the infielders on Monday and will continue for a while, Cash said, to get comfortable "and because of the communication that goes into different plays and different situations."
Tsutsugo started 27 games at third last season for Yokohama (one error), 89 in the 2012 season (six errors), and 127 total over his 10- year career. As for Wednesday, he said, "I'll do my best. Hopefully, I can make some good plays. But please don't expect too much right now."
Tsutsugo worked pre-game with Yandy Diaz, the well-muscled starting third baseman. Asked if he'd also go into the weight room with Diaz, Tsutsugo said, "If I watch him do his weights I'll lose my confidence, so I prefer not to."
