Report: Padres ink Akiyama to minor-league deal

The San Diego Padres signed free-agent Shogo Akiyama to a minor-league contract, a source told The Athletic's C. Trent Rosecrans.

Akiyama was released by the Cincinnati Reds on April 5 after struggling to live up to expectations upon signing a three-year, $21-million contract with the club before the 2020 campaign.

The 34-year-old will provide outfield depth for Padres manager Bob Melvin and has experience playing both left and center field.

Akiyama owns a career .224/.320/.274 slash line with zero home runs, 21 RBIs, and nine stolen bases across 142 games with the Reds.