Played for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League in Nippon Professional Baseball for nine seasons before signing with the Orioles as a non-drafted free agent, December 14, 2011.
2014
Tsuyoshi made 13 starts for Chicago and went 4-4 with a 3.25 ERA (25 ER/69.1 IP) in his first career major league action...Began the year with Triple-A Iowa, and was named a Pacific Coast League All-Star before finishing the season with the Cubs...Allowed two or fewer runs in nine of his 13 starts for the Cubs, including six-straight outings, July 28-August 24, in which he went 4-0 with a 1.96 ERA (8 ER/36.2 IP)...Surrendered two or fewer walks in 11 of his 13 starts...Struck out 57 batters, good for an average of 7.4 strikeouts per 9.0 innings, and allowed just 19 walks (2.5 per 9.0 IP)...Went 4-1 with a 2.91 ERA (14 ER/43.1 IP) in eight home starts...Was 0-3 with a 3.81 ERA (11 ER/26.0 IP) in five road outings...Left-handed hitters batted .184 (9-for-49) off him...Right-handed batters hit .270 (58-for-215)...Limited opponents to a .159 average (10-for-63) with runners in scoring position...Selected to the Cubs 40-man roster, June 22, and remained with Iowa...Made his major league debut, July 8 in Cincinnati, in the nightcap of a twinbill...Allowed one unearned run in 5.0 innings and did not garner a decision in the 6-5 setback...Optioned back to Iowa post-game...Became the first Japanese-born player to start a game for the Cubs...Recalled to Chicago, July 23...Allowed five runs in 4.0 innings vs. San Diego...Earned his first career major league victory, July 28 vs. Colorado...Allowed one run in 7.0 innings in the 4-1 win...August 24 vs. Baltimore, allowed only one hit (a seventh-inning leadoff homer to Steve Pearce) in 6.1 innings as the Cubs topped the Orioles, 2-1...Became the first Cubs rookie in two decades to take a no-hitter into the seventh and earn a victory ... that was previously done by Kevin Foster against the Cardinals in 1994...Went 10-6 with a 2.77 ERA (35 ER/113.2 IP) in 19 games (18 starts) with Iowa...Walked just 28 and struck out 120...Named the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for April 3-13...Finished April with a 3-1 record and a 0.68 ERA (2 ER/26.1 IP), striking out 29 hitters and walking just three...Led the PCL with a 0.65 WHIP and a .156 opponents' batting average, and was named the Minor League Pitcher of the Month by the organization.
2013
After missing the 2012 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Tsuyoshi was activated from the disabled list, June 14, and went on to make 19 starts for Triple-A Norfolk ... posted a 1.43 ERA (6 ER/37.2 IP) in his final six outings, July 31-August 31 ... Placed on the disabled list, March 22, and continued his recovery from surgery prior to his activation, June 14 ... All told, was 5-6 with a 4.03 ERA (46 ER/102.2 IP) in his 19 outings with Norfolk ... walked 35 and struck out 80 ... Struck out career-high 10, July 31 at Pawtucket.
2012
Injured his left elbow in spring training and was placed on the DL, 3/28
... Had "Tommy John" surgery, 5/11, performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum and missed the entire season
2011
Went 16-5 with a 1.51 ERA (184.2IP, 31ER) in 26 games for Softbank, his 9th season with the Hawks
... Posted a career-high 23 Quality Starts
... Named to the Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Team
... On August 3, became the fastest NPB left-hander to win 100 career games
... Set career-highs in ERA, CG (4), SHO (2), IP, HR allowed (7) and WHIP (1.00)
... Struck out 4.2 batters per walk allowed, setting a new career-high.
2010
Named the NPB Most Valuable Player as he led the league with 17 wins...Named to the Nippon Professional Baseball
All-Star Team...Tied career-high with 169 strikeouts.
2009
Went 4-5 with a 4.06 ERA (84.1IP, 38ER) in 15 games (13GS)...Set new career-high with 9.3 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.
2008
Pitched in the Beijing Olympic Games...Went 8-8 with a 3.61 ERA (162.0IP, 65ER) in 23 games started for Softbank.
2007
Went 12-10 with a 2.82 ERA (182.IP, 57ER) in 26 starts.
2006
Helped Japan win the World Baseball Classic...Went 14-6 for Softbank, posting a 2.98 ERA (163.1IP, 54ER) in 24 games.
2005
Went 12-8 with a 3.27 ERA (181.2IP, 66ER) in 25 games.
2004
Went 10-6 with career-high 4.35 ERA (128.1IP, 62ER) in his sophomore campaign...Named to the Nippon Professional
Baseball All-Star Team...Won a bronze medal as part of Team Japan in the Athens Olympic Games.
2003
Named Pacific League Rookie of the Year after going 14-5 with a 3.38 ERA (189.0IP, 71ER) and career-high 195 strikeouts
in 26 games...Named to the Nippon Professional Baseball All-Star Team.
