Reds release OF Shogo Akiyama, owed $8M in 2022

The Cincinnati Reds officially released outfielder Shogo Akiyama on Tuesday after two disappointing seasons.

The Reds owe him $8 million for the 2022 season on the three-year, $21 million deal he signed in January 2020.

Akiyama, who turns 34 on April 16, becomes a free agent.

He was batting .182 with six strikeouts, no homers and no RBIs in seven games in spring training.

Akiyama appeared in 142 games for the Reds in