Minor league contract in his fifth year in the U.S.: Yoshitomo Tsutsugo’s “special circumstances” that prevent him from returning to Japanese baseball “even if it is hopeless to promote him to the majors.

In the background are Tsutsuka’s special circumstances.

‘Tsutsuka is a foolish character.’ At DeNA’s Fan Appreciation Day in the off-season of 2007, he declared in high spirits, “I’m going to challenge the Majors! at DeNA’s Fan Appreciation Day in the off-season of ’19. Tsutsuka considers his words to be a promise to his fans, and he will not return until he fulfills it.

He also feels strongly that he has not been able to play satisfactorily for the past four seasons since coming to the United States. He would like to play a full year and feel that he has “made it. He does not want to return to Japan in a half-hearted way.

Will Tsutsuka be able to break out of his difficult situation and fulfill his promise to the fans to make it to the major leagues? The cannonballer, who hit 205 homers in Japan, will be entering his fifth season in the United States.