Kensuke

Tanaka

He’s been given an invitation to spring training and will compete for a utility job. Tanaka batted .300/.350/.363 with three homers and 13 stolen bases this past season for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. He doesn’t project as a high-impact player.

Tanaka would receive an invitation to spring training, where he would compete for a utility job. A former All-Star for the Nippon Ham Fighters, Tanaka batted .300/.350/.363 with three homers and 13 steals this past season.

Tanaka, 31, batted .229 (11-for-48) with a double, two RBI and four stolen bases in 19 games this spring. He’ll stick around as middle infield depth in the minors.

Tony Abreu and Kensuke Tanaka have also been mentioned as candidates to fulfill that role. Valdez has been delayed in reporting to spring camp due to visa issues, and the longer he’s away from the team could impact his chances at winning the position battle.

Tanaka was designated for assignment by the Giants on Tuesday. The versatile 32-year-old from Japan posted a decent .329/.400/.397 batting line with 22 stolen bases in 107 games this season at Triple-A and should be able to latch on with a new organization rather quickly.

Tanaka batted .267/.353/.267 over 15 games during his time with the big club earlier this season. The 32-year-old is capable of playing left field and second base, though we doubt he attracts suitors during the waiver process.

The 32-year-old Tanaka made the move over the states this season after a long career in Japan. He was batting .330/.392/.394 with no homers and 20 steals at Fresno at the time of his recall. Tanaka is capable of playing left field and second base, but the Giants plan to use him exclusively in the outfield.

That’s according to a report from Sponichi in Japan, translated by the Dallas Morning News. Tanaka was released by the Giants in September despite posting a promising set of numbers at Triple-A Fresno -- including a .400 OBP and 22 steals. The 32-year-old utilityman was a teammate of Rangers ace Yu Darvish on the Nippon Ham Fighters. He plays outfield and infield.

The deal includes an invitation to spring training, according to NPB Tracker’s Patrick Newman. The 32-year-old Tanaka, not to be confused with the phenom pitcher of the same surname, slashed .267/.353/.267 in 30 at-bats with the Giants this past season. He’ll be organizational depth for the Rangers.

Tanaka requested his release in other to pursue another opportunity. He was hitting .258/.340/.371 over 62 games at Triple-A Round Rock.