Tyler

Austin

The deal is now official. Austin returns stateside following a six-year odyssey overseas in Japan. The 34-year-old slugger batted .269/.350/.484 with 11 homers over 65 games for the Yokohama BayStars this past season. He figures to occupy a bench role with the Cubs, splitting time at first base and DH, mostly against tougher left-handed starters. The over-the-fence pop is real but it’s challenging to envision enough playing time to make an impact outside of NL-only formats.

After six years in japan, Austin apparently will step in as Justin Turner’s replacement in Chicago and start at first against some lefties. The former Yankee and Twin hit .269/.350/.484 with 11 homers in 65 games for the Yokohama BayStars last season. He came in at .239/.377/.568 with 85 homers over 403 career games in the Central League. Passan says he’ll be guaranteed $1.25 million by the Cubs.

Mike Ford, on the other hand, has become a free agent after struggling to establish himself in his first year in Japan. Austin, who came up with the Yankees in 2016, is well established as one of Japan’s best hitters after five seasons with Yokohama. In 2024, he led the Central League in average, just edging out Domingo Santana, and OPS, coming in at .316/.382/.601 in 445 plate appearances.

Austin’s two-run single in the bottom of the sixth inning capped off a five-run frame for Team USA, which will now advance to a gold medal matchup against an undefeated Japan squad on Saturday at 6 a.m. ET. At the very least, the Americans will come home with a silver. All events from the Tokyo Olympics can be streamed LIVE on NBCOlympics.com and on the NBC Sports App.

The 28-year-old appeared in 87 big leagues games in 2019 between the Brewers, Giants and Twins, slashing .188/.296/.409 with nine homers and 24 RBI. He’ll try to re-establish his stock before a possible return stateside. He’s likely to replace Yoshitomo Tsutsugo on the BayStars, as he’s drawing strong interest from MLB clubs this offseason.

Austin refused an outright assignment by the Brewers and will test out the market instead. He’s reportedly drawn interest from the Hanshin Tigers in Japan.

Bour is arbitration-eligible for a final time with the Angels and Austin is arbitration-eligible for the first time with the Brewers, but they are both likely non-tender candidates. Going overseas might be their best opportunity both from a monetary and playing time perspective.

With two outs, two runners on and the score knotted at 3-3 in the fourth inning, Brewers manager Craig Counsell got aggressive and pinch-hit for starter Adrian Houser with Austin. The move looked brilliant after Austin demolished a Jon Lester fastball over the Brewers bullpen in left field, giving them a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. The hit was just Austin’s second since the club promoted him at the start of this month, and the well-traveled 28-year-old is hitting just .196/.306/.428 across stints with three different organizations this year.

Pina had to leave Thursday’s game after getting his bell rung by a foul tip. He’s been sent home to rest for a few days, so it appears he can be ruled out at least through this weekend. Yasmani Grandal is catching and Tyler Austin is at first base Friday against lefty Cole Hamels.

Austin is joining his third team of the season after hitting .187/.283/.403 with eight homers in 134 at-bats for the Twins and Giants. He might see the occasional start against lefties this month, but he won’t play enough to be of any use in fantasy leagues.