Twins Release Tsuyoshi Nishioka

In what seems to be a fitting end to a dismal Minnesota Twins season, the team announced today that it has released Tsuyoshi Nishioka. The former Japanese Gold Glover and Batting Champ requested the release earlier in the week and the Twins organization was quick to accomodate. Releasing Nishioka saves the Twins the $3 million they owed him in 2013 as well as the typical $250,000 contract buyout.

In an experiment where the Twins hoped to capture the next Ichiro, they instead got a shortstop that in 71 Big League games hit a meager .215 with just 20 RBIs over the span of two seasons. Nishioka’s time in Minnesota didn’t come without it’s fair share of setbacks though. Last April, Tsuyoshi broke his leg and missed the majority of the season.

Nishioka is said to be headed back to Japan, hoping to rekindle his career. Only this time, it will be for far less money.