by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/21/2013) Athletics infielder Hiroyuki Nakajimaplayed second base Monday with the Triple-A Sacramento River Cats, MLB.com reports. He'll see some time at third base going forward as well and started there Tuesday.
Manager Bob Melvin wants Nakajima to play as many positions as possible in order to make him more versatile at the major-league level in the future. His 20-day rehab assignment is up Wednesday and the A's will make a decision on him at that time. Nakajima is batting .250 at Triple-A with five RBI over 40 at-bats.
Hiroyuki Nakajima running pain-free
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (5/19/2013) Athletics manager Bob Melvin indicated Saturday that shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima is finally running pain-free, the Oakland Tribune reports.
"He's going down the line 100 percent and moving good on defense," Melvin said. "Next up for him is to get multiple-hit games back-to-back."
Nakajima's rehab assignment can only last until May 23, at which point he'll either have to be placed on the active roster or assigned to the minor leagues. He's recovering from a left hamstring injury.
Hiroyuki Nakajima getting comfortable in rehab
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/14/2013) Athletics infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima (hamstring) went 1 for 5 on Tuesday for Triple-A Sacramento in a rehab assignment game, MLB.com reports. It was his third straight day playing in a game for the River Cats.
Nakajima will take Wednesday off and then play four games in a row. He's gone 7 for 29 (.241) overall with the River Cats.
"From everything that I hear, he's getting more and more comfortable, not only in the field but at the plate," manager Bob Melvin said. "We want to make sure he gets plenty of at-bats and plays plenty of games to where he doesn't have to feel the hamstring."
Hiroyuki Nakajima plays on consecutive days
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (5/11/2013) Athletics infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima was in the lineup for the second day in a row Friday, the first time he has done so since beginning his minor-league rehab stint. Nakajima is at Triple-A Sacramento while recovering from a hamstring injury.
The team expects Nakajima to need a few more days of work before it considers activating him. He is likely to work as a utility play upon returning to the majors.
Hiroyuki Nakajima to return as utility player
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/7/2013) The Athletics expect to use Hiroyuki Nakajima as a utility player if he has a chance to return to the big league roster, the San Francisco Chronicle reports Tuesday.
Nakajima is expected to play nine innings for Triple-A Memphis on his rehab assignment Tuesday. He had missed the previous three days due to tightness in his injured hamstring.
Hiroyuki Nakajima returning to rehab Tuesday
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/6/2013) Athletics infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima, who experienced tightness in his injured hamstring and had to halt his rehab assignment, was feeling better Monday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
He is expected to head to Triple-A Memphis to play nine innings for the River Cats Tuesday. Nakajima missed the last three days with the issue.
Nakajima went 2 for 4 with a double and RBI in his only rehab game.
Hiroyuki Nakajima has hamstring tightness
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (5/5/2013) Athletics infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima experienced some tightness in his hamstring on Friday and was off Saturday during his rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento, MLB.com reports.
Nakajima has been rehabbing his hamstring injury and this should only be considered a slight bump in the road.
He has appeared in one rehab game and went 2 for 4 with a double and RBI.
Hiroyuki Nakajima starts rehab assignment
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/4/2013) As expected, Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima started a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento Friday. Nakajima, who is on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury, went 2 for 4 with a RBI for the Rivercats.
Nakajima is expected to be used primarily at shortstop during his rehab stint, but manager Bob Melvin not offer a timetable on how long he would stay in the minors.
"We want him to have some success before we bring him here," Melvin said.
Hiroyuki Nakajima ready for rehab assignment
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (5/3/2013) Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury, is expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento Friday, MLB.com reports.
Manager Bob Melvin did not offer a timetable on how long Nakajima would remain on his rehab assignment.
"We want him to have some success before we bring him here," Melvin said.
Nakajima is expected to be used primarily at shortstop during his stint with the Rivercats.
Hiroyuki Nakajima almost ready to rehab
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/29/2013) Oakland manager Bob Melvin updated Hiroyuki Nakajima's injury status and reported that he went 1 for 3 over five innings in an extended spring training game Monday, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Nakajima is expected to play six innings on Wednesday and might begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Sacramento following that.
Nakajima is dealing with a hamstring injury and has yet to play for the Athletics this season.
Hiroyuki Nakajima inching toward rehab assignment
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (4/27/2013) Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima, on the 15-day disabled list with a hamstring injury, was able to take four at-bats at extended spring training Thursday, MLB.com reports.
Manager Bob Melvin said Nakajima will "do a few more days of this" before being sent on a minor-league rehab assignment.
Hiroyuki Nakajima close to playing in extended spring training
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (4/23/2013) Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima worked out and ran the bases Monday.
Nakajima is almost ready to start playing in extended spring training games, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. Nakajima strained his hamstring before the season and has yet to make his A's debut.
Hiroyuki Nakajima heading to extended spring training
by Adam Moore | CBSSports.com (4/19/2013) Athletics infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima, who is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, is expected to report to extended spring training in Arizona on Monday, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Friday.
Manager Bob Melvin told the paper that Nakajima will likely get some work at shortstop but added the first order of business is to get him healthy.
Hiroyuki Nakajima still needs healing time
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Athletics infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima, who is on the DL with a hamstring injury, is not close to beginning a rehab assignment, the San Francisco Chronicle reported Tuesday.
Manager Bob Melvin said the infielder may begin a rehab assignment when Oakland returns home for the next homestand, beginning April 25.
Nakajima will have to run the bases before he can progress.
Hiroyuki Nakajima must run bases before rehab
by Jeff Lippman | CBSSports.com (4/16/2013) Athletics infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima, who is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury, could be nearing a rehab assignment, MLB.com reported Monday.
That said, Nakajima must first prove he can run the bases before he returns to any game.
"If he runs the bases this weekend, then maybe we're closer with him as well," manager Bob Melvin said Monday. "You have good days and bad days, and there are days he hasn't felt great. When we were on the road trip, I think there were a couple days he wasn't making progress, but here recently he's said he feels very good, so I think we're on the verge of getting him on the bases. We'll have a better indication of where he is once he does that."
A's haven't discussed using Hiroyuki Nakajima at second
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (4/10/2013) Athletics manager Bob Melvin indicated Wednesday that the team hasn't discussed using shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima at second base once he returns.
"We haven’t discussed it yet, but he’s most comfortable at shortstop," Melvin told MLB.com
The A's are searching for a long-term answer at second base after Scott Sizemore was lost for the season with a torn ACL.
Hiroyuki Nakajima making progress from injury
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/9/2013) A's shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima has been making progress as he recovers from a strained left hamstring, MLB.com reports.
Nakajima has begun swinging in the batting cage and has also done some 40-yard sprints.
"He’s starting to feel that much better," manager Bob Melvin said Tuesday, "so my guess is that once we get home he might be able to get out on the field with us and do all the normal pre-game activities."
Hiroyuki Nakajima gets some work in
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (4/2/2013) A's shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima did some light field work on Tuesday as he continues to recover from a strained left hamstring, MLB.com reports. He is eligible to come off the disabled list April 11 but the club may elect to keep him on a rehab assignment longer.
Oakland heads out on a six-game road trip Thursday.
"It depends on how close we think he is," manager Bob Melvin said. "If we feel like he's close enough to where we want to watch him doing game activities, then we'll take him on the road."
Hiroyuki Nakajima lands on the DL
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/30/2013) The Athletics have placed shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 27, with a strained left hamstring.
Nakajima suffered the injury in a spring training game Tuesday and should be eligible to return April 11, barring setbacks. The 30-year-old finished spring training with a .167/.286/.190 slash line.
Hiroyuki Nakajima likely to start season on DL
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/29/2013) Athletics manager Bob Melvin told the San Francisco Chronicle Friday that shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima will likely start the season on the disabled list. Nakajima was diagnosed with a strained left hamstring Thursday and has been ruled out for the remainder of spring training games.
The A's are expected to officially place him on the DL Sunday.
Hiroyuki Nakajima diagnosed with strained hamstring
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/29/2013) Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima has been diagnosed with a strained left hamstring, according to team doctors, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. He has already been ruled out of this weekend's three-game exhibition series against the Giants and could be in danger of starting the season on the disabled list. The A's have yet to release a concrete timetable for the 30-year-old.
Hiroyuki Nakajima to miss final three exhibition games
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/28/2013) Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima was ruled out of this weekend's three-game exhibition series against the Giants as he continues to deal with a hamstring injury, reports MLB.com. He is scheduled to visit team doctors to determine his next course of action.
Nakajima may begin the season on the disabled list, but manager Bob Melvin has yet to rule him out for Monday's opener against the Mariners.
"I do know he will not play in this series, and then after that I’m not 100 percent sure, but I’ll probably have a better indication after the game," Melvin said.
Hiroyuki Nakajima may start season on DL
by Chris Cwik | CBSSports.com (3/27/2013) Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima may begin the season on the disabled list. Nakajima left Tuesday's game with a hamstring injury, and it looks like that could lead to missed time. Nakajima's stateside debut may be pushed back a little further than expected.
Hiroyuki Nakajima day to day with hamstring injury
by Ed Gauna | CBSSports.com (3/26/2013) A's shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima left Tuesday's Cactus League contest against the Indians in the 10th inning due to a left hamstring injury, MLB.com reports. He went 1 for 2 before the early exit and is being considered day to day.
Nakajima, who could begin the year at Triple-A, is batting just .167 (7 for 42) with one RBI and two stolen bases in 17 spring games.
A's could export Hiro Nakajima to minors
by Bill Passonno | CBSSports.com (3/25/2013) It appears the poor spring performance by Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima could cost him a spot on the opening-day roster. The A's, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, is considering sending Nakajima to Triple-A to start the season in order for him to develop a groove -- offensively and defensively -- before he makes his major-league debut.
Nakajima has gone hitless in his past eight Cactus League games and is hitting .150 with one extra-base hit during exhibition play. "I haven’t heard anything about it," Nakajima said. "It’s an area I can't talk about."
by Igor Mello | CBSSports.com (3/25/2013) After spending three innings at second base in a minor-league game, Athletics manager Bob Melvin has decided to keep Hiroyuki Nakajima at shortstop, according to MLB.com.
"Shortstop is his position," Melvin said, "and my guess is he'll be there most of the time."
Nakajima did not seem to feel at ease at second, according to Melvin. With the position being shared by five candidates, it is highly unlikely that the 30-year-old will play a Cactus League game at second this year. Nakajima is hitting .150 this spring.
Hiroyuki Nakajima sees time at second base
by R.J. White | CBSSports.com (3/23/2013) Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima played second base in a minor-league game Saturday as the team continues to see what it has in the offseason acquisition.
"We still look at him as a shortstop. He is a shortstop," manager Bob Melvin told MLB.com. "Everybody else is playing different positions. It just kind of goes along with that theme. We try to be as versatile as we can, and he's the only infielder who has only played one position this spring, so we'll mix him in at second."
Melvin added that Nakajima was "on board" with the move and indicated he's willing to do anything to help the team. He has just six hits in 37 Cactus League at-bats.
A's middle-infield situation unsettled
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (3/21/2013) The Athletics' middle-infield situation isn't expected to be decided until the end of spring training, according to CBSSports.com Senior Columnist Scott Miller.
At shortstop, the battle remains between Jed Lowrie, who is having a strong spring batting .313 (10 for 32) with two homers, three doubles and nine RBI in 13 games, and Hiroyuki Nakajima, who is struggling offensively. Nakajima, who was an offseason international free-agent signing, is batting .176 (6 for 34) with a double and an RBI in 14 spring games.
At second base, Miller reports the competition between Jemile Weeks and Scott Sizemore is expected to last through the start of the season because Weeeks hasn't received as many looks as the other infielders because of a bruised shoulder.
Jemile Weeks is back
by Scott White | Senior Fantasy Writer (3/15/2013) It was good to see Jemile Weeks back in a Cactus League game Thursday for Oakland after he missed about two weeks with a strained shoulder. With Danny Knobler recently reporting that Hiroyuki Nakajima and Scott Sizemore have both fallen well short of expectations this spring, Weeks' chances of winning the starting second base job have significantly improved.
I'm not so sure he isn't closer to being the player we saw in 2011 than 2012. He was off to a good start before the injury this spring. If he picks up where he left off, I'm not so opposed to investing a late-round pick in him in mixed leagues.
Nakajima making early impression
by Chris Towers | CBSSports.com (2/14/2013) Athletics shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima has reported early to spring training, and seems to be impressing coaches and members of the team. Nakajima, who signed a two-year, $6.5 million deal this offseason after a career spent playing professionally in Japan, has been at camp for two weeks getting work in. "We're all pleasantly surprised with what we are seeing," manager Bob Melvin told MLB.com Thursday. "His hands work very well, as far as batting practice, and he's not trying to do too much. His hands looked very sure while taking ground balls, too." Nakajima is expected to be the team’s starting shortstop from day one.
Nakajima to remain at SS
by Michael Hurcomb | CBSSports.com (2/4/2013) The A's and Astros announced a blockbuster trade Monday evening. The A's acquired shortstop Jed Lowrie and reliever Fernando Rodriguez from the Astros in exchange for first baseman Chris Carter, starting pitcher Brad Peacock and catcher Max Stassi. Oakland general manager Billy Beane said free-agent addition Hiroyuki Nakajima will remain the team's starting shortstop, while Lowrie will be used all over the infield to take advantage of his versatility.
Nakajima finalizes A's deal
by Al Melchior | Data Analyst (12/18/2012) The Athletics made their two-year deal with Hiroyuki Nakajima official Tuesday, and he is expected to be their starting shortstop in 2013. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Nakajima will earn $6.5 million through 2014, and the deal includes a $5.5 million team option for 2015. Nakajima played 11 seasons with the Seibu Lions of the Japanese Pacific League.
