by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (5/12/2013) Blue Jays shortstop Munenori Kawasaki hit a two-run single in the second inning and stole his fifth base during Sunday's 12-4 rout of the Red Sox. He also had a walk and struck out once.
Kawasaki is batting .304 (7 for 23) with five RBI and four stolen bases in 10 May games.
Munenori Kawasaki plates two runs
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Blue Jays shortstop Munenori Kawasaki had a nice game at the plate on Sunday during a win over the Mariners. He drove in two runs.
Kawasaki went 2 for 3 with a walk in the performance as his ground out in the second made the score 3-0. He added an RBI single in the seventh inning and also scored in the sixth. Kawasaki added his fourth stolen base in the game.
Batting .241, Kawasaki only has two extra-base hits over his first 54 at-bats for Toronto. He's been filling in at shortstop for the injured Jose Reyes.
Munenori Kawasaki moves atop the order
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/21/2013) Blue Jays manager John Gibbons placed Munenori Kawasaki atop the order Sunday against the Yankees in the series finale, MLB.com reports. With Rajai Davis sitting out, Gibbons thought Kawasaki was ready for his first try leading off.
Kawasaki, who had been hitting out of the No. 9 hole, has been a surprise for Toronto thus far since Jose Reyes was injured.
"I think he's the perfect choice with Rajai not in there," Gibbons said before Sunday afternoon's game. "He's playing good, he gives you a great at-bat every time. He gets on base. With Raj out, give him a shot in there. Getting on base, spark plug, I think he'll do great up there."
Kawasaki entered Sunday hitting 5 for 19 (.263) with a pair of RBI. He's also played solid defense.
Munenori Kawasaki well-received by teammates
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Blue Jays shortstop Munenori Kawasaki, who has filled in nicely at short since Jose Reyes suffered his injury, has been a hit with teammates over his first handful of games with the team, the National Post reported Monday.
"His teammates absolutely adore him," general manager Alex Anthopoulos said.
Kawasaki kept swinging a hot bat Monday, batting ninth against the White Sox. He tripled and scored in the fourth inning of the game. Entering Monday, Kawasaki had started 1 for 3 (.333) over his first two games with a run scored, two walks, a stolen base and an RBI.
Blue Jays shopping for middle-infield help
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (4/15/2013) Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos told reporters Monday he's talking with teams about middle-infield help, but he doesn't foresee any deals based on asking prices. Anthopoulos stressed defense being a priority in Jose Reyes' absence, and said the team is likely to stick with the combination of Munenori Kawasaki and Maicer Izturis at shortstop.
Skipper impressed with Munenori Kawasaki
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/14/2013) Blue Jays manager John Gibbons was impressed with infielder Munenori Kawasaki in his season debut Saturday after being called up to replace Jose Reyes on the roster, MLB.com reports.
Kawasaki, who got another start Sunday, provided a two-strike sacrifice fly and drew a walk before Jose Bautista's two-run homer in the 3-2 win over Kansas City Saturday.
"He did a nice job," manager John Gibbons said. "He seems full of energy. He moves around and I like the way he approaches ground balls. He's aggressive and he comes and gets them. This is his opportunity."
Munenori Kawasaki starts at short
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) Blue Jays infielder Munenori Kawasaki was called up for Saturday's game against the Royals and received the start at shortstop. He went 0 for 1 with a walk, an RBI and a run scored in a 3-2 win.
Munenori Kawasaki coming up for Toronto
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/13/2013) The Blue Jays are expected to call up infielder Munenori Kawasaki to take the roster spot of injured shortstop Jose Reyes (ankle) Saturday, FOX Sports reports.
Toronto should go with a combination of Maicer Izturis and Emilio Bonifacio at short with Reyes out, with Kawasaki serving as infield depth.
The 31-year-old Kawasaki spent 61 games in the majors last year with Seattle, hitting .192 over 104 at-bats with seven RBI and two stolen bases.
M's cut ties with Kawasaki
(10/25/2012) The Mariners released infielder Munenori Kawasaki on Wednesday. Kawasaki batted just .192 with seven RBI and two stolen bases in 61 games last season.
