Blue Jays Shortstop Sends 4-Word Kazuma Okamoto Message After Apparent Apology

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Toronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto ‘Seemed To Apologize’ To Andres Gimenez

Okamoto is slashing just .213/.294/.328 this season as he works to get more consistent against big-league pitchers. But his struggles are also noticeable in the field, where some metrics show he is performing below average at third base as he adjusts to harder-hit balls and a language barrier with Bichette’s replacement at shortstop.

“Okamoto is adjusting to playing deeper at third base and communicating with teammates who don’t speak the same first language,” Mitch Bannon wrote for The Athletic. “In Tuesday’s win over the Brewers, Okamoto ranged to his left and deflected a ball that shortstop Andrés Giménez appeared prepared to catch. The third baseman seemed to apologize to the shortstop after the game.”

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When asked about playing alongside Okamoto in his first MLB season, Gimenez offered a four-word response about struggles like the one noticed on Tuesday.

“We’re working on it,” Gimenez said, per Bannon. “We’re trying to find the right communication.”

As Gimenez, other teammates and Blue Jays staffers all work to communicate with their new Japanese teammate, and Okamoto adjusts to life in Canada and the U.S., things are likely to get smoother. That’s good news for Blue Jays fans, who are hoping to see the team’s losing ways turn around before too much longer.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com