TOKYO (AP) — Former major league infielder Munenori Kawasaki is likely to retire after being released by his Japanese club on Monday.In a statement released by the Softbank Hawks, the 36-year-old infielder said a series of injuries has prevented him from being the player he wanted to be.Kawasaki spent five seasons in Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs. His post-game interviews in broken English became an internet sensation during that time.His best season in the majors was in 2013 when he had 55 hits and drove in 24 runs for the Blue Jays.A light-hitting infielder, Kawasaki went to the Mariners in 2012 and was briefly teammates with his idol Ichiro Suzuki.Kawasaki became a fan favorite and YouTube sensation with a post-game interview in Toronto in 2013 that began "Thank you very much. My name is Munenori Kawasaki. I come from Japan. I am Japaneeeeese!!"Following the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series championship, Kawasaki joined Daisuke Matsuzaka and Koji Uehara as the only Japanese players to have won championships in the World Baseball Classic, Japan Series and World Series.In Japan, Kawasaki scored 653 runs, had 27 home runs and 373 RBIs with a .292 average over 1187 games

TOKYO (AP) — Former major league infielder Munenori Kawasaki is likely to retire after being released by his Japanese club on Monday.In a statement released by the Softbank Hawks, the 36-year-old infielder said a series of injuries has prevented him from being the player he wanted to be.Kawasaki spent five seasons in Major League Baseball with the Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays and Chicago Cubs. His post-game interviews in broken English became an internet sensation during that time.His best season in the majors was in 2013 when he had 55 hits and drove in 24 runs for the Blue Jays.A light-hitting infielder, Kawasaki went to the Mariners in 2012 and was briefly teammates with his idol Ichiro Suzuki.Kawasaki became a fan favorite and YouTube sensation with a post-game interview in Toronto in 2013 that began "Thank you very much. My name is Munenori Kawasaki. I come from Japan. I am Japaneeeeese!!"Following the Chicago Cubs' 2016 World Series championship, Kawasaki joined Daisuke Matsuzaka and Koji Uehara as the only Japanese players to have won championships in the World Baseball Classic, Japan Series and World Series.

INF Munenori Kawasaki had a pinch-hit RBI double Tuesday as he returned to the Cubs' roster as a September call-up. Kawasaki had a brief stint with the Cubs earlier this season and batted .255 in 102 games for Triple-A Iowa, with 20 stolen bases.

INF Munenori Kawasaki was recalled from Triple-A Iowa Tuesday.

INF Mumenori Kawasaki was optioned to Triple-A Iowa on Friday. Kawasaki, 35, was batting .267 with nine doubles, one triple and 11 stolen bases in 62 games with Iowa this season. He has hit .333 (1-for-3) in three games during two stints with the Cubs this season.

INF Munenori Kawasaki, called up from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, was optioned back to Iowa after the Sunday game. Kawasaki is 1-for-3 in three games for Chicago this year.

INF Munenori Kawasaki was optioned to Triple-A Iowa late Thursday. He saw action in two games with the Cubs and went 1-for-2 with a stolen base. Kawasaki, 34, was Iowa's Opening Day shortstop on April 7 before being recalled to the Cubs a day later.

INF Munenori Kawasaki was purchased from Triple-A Iowa to take C/INF Kyle Schwarber's roster spot. Kawasaki hit .367 with six doubles, one homer and eight RBIs in 49 spring training at-bats. "By him being here, (Ben) Zobrist can become an outfielder, (Kris) Bryant can become an outfielder," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. We talked about our flexibility in spring training. It is being tested early. Our versatility." Teammates were all smiles when Kawasaki arrived in the Cub's clubhouse about three hours before game time. "If there is an anti-knee injury salve, it would probably be him," Maddon said.

INF Munenori Kawasaki was released by the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday as one of three moves to trim the spring training roster to 32.

The Chicago Cubs released outfielder Shane Victorino on Tuesday as one of three moves to trim the spring training roster to 32.Also released on Tuesday were infielder Munenori Kawasaki and reliever Manny Parra.The Cubs will attempt to sign all three players to minor-league deals.Chicago also placed utilityman Javier Baez (thumb) on the 15-day disabled list.Baez has a deep bruise on his left thumb and manager Joe Maddon doesn't believe Baez is fully healed.The releases of the three veterans were made before a Tuesday deadline that would have required the Cubs to pay a $100,000 bonus to keep them in their organization.Kawasaki and Parra would start the season at Triple-A Iowa if they sign a minor-league deal with Chicago. Victornio has a calf injury and would go to extended spring training.

The Chicago Cubs released outfielder Shane Victorino on Tuesday as one of three moves to trim the spring training roster to 32.Also released on Tuesday were infielder Munenori Kawasaki and reliever Manny Parra.The Cubs will attempt to sign all three players to minor-league deals.The releases were made before a Tuesday deadline that would have required the Cubs to pay a $100,000 bonus to keep them in their organization.Kawasaki and Parra would start the season at Triple-A Iowa if they sign a minor-league deal with Chicago. Victornio has a calf injury and would go to extended spring training.

The Blue Jays recalled Kawasaki from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, Brendan Kennedy of the Toronto Star reports.

Kawasaki will give the Blue Jays some added infield depth, and -- although there isn't a fantasy category for this -- the fan favorite figures to provide a boost to the team off the field.

Kawasaki was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo prior to Sunday's game against the Yankees.

Kawasaki's demotion opens up a spot on the active roster for Cliff Pennington, who was acquired from the Diamondbacks in a trade Saturday. With a 3-for-18 mark (.167 average) mark across 14 games with the Jays this season, Kawasaki has done little to demonstrate that he can be a capable fill-in for the injured Devon Travis (shoulder) at second base.

Kawasaki has been recalled and is starting at second base for Saturday's game against the Royals.

This will be Kawasaki's fourth call-up this year with Toronto, which clearly views him as a bench bat and occasional second base starter that they can move to the minors when it desires. Don't expect Kawasaki's stay to be too long or impactful.

Kawasaki was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports.

Kawasaki has 15 at-bats in 12 appearances this season, as he's often just used as a late-inning defensive replacement. He's known for his personality, defense and versatility, but he offers zero offensive upside, even at the Triple-A level.

Kawasaki is getting called up from Triple-A Buffalo on Friday, Sportsnet reports.

With R.A. Dickey placed on the bereavement list, the Blue Jays temporarily have an extra spot on the 25-man roster. Kawasaki will help with infield depth but doesn't figure to get more than a start or two.

Kawasaki was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday, the Toronto Star's Brendan Kennedy reports.

The Blue Jays are calling up Scott Copeland to make a spot start, so Kawasaki was sent down to clear a spot on the 25-man roster. Kawasaki could be recalled following Copeland's start, but he does not see enough playing time, nor does he have the requisite offensive ability to be useful in most formats.

Kawasaki will get the start at second base and bat ninth Monday against the Marlins.

After coming through with a clutch, ninth-inning double Sunday to spark the Blue Jays' rally, Kawasaki is rewarded with his third start of the season. Hitting just 2-for-8 on the season, Kawasaki is something of an unknown at the plate this season, with far too small a sample size from which to draw conclusions. With Ryan Goins struggling at the plate, a couple of strong appearances from Kawasaki could give him the full-time role until Devon Travis returns.

Kawasaki was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Sunday, John Lott of the National Post reports.

Kawasaki will replace the injured Steve Tolleson (groin) on the Blue Jays' 25-man roster for the time being. His spot likely remains tentative, however, as his .221/.330/.279 batting line over 27 games in Triple-A doesn't put him in a favorable position to maintain a roster spot upon the return of either Tolleson or Devon Travis.

Kawasaki was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo on Monday, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports.

With Jose Reyes coming off the DL on Monday, Kawasaki was sent back to Buffalo to clear a spot on the 25-man roster. Kawasaki appeared in three contests for the Blue Jays, going 1-for-5 at the plate with a walk and a strikeout. The shortstop is hitting .222/.349/278 with two RBI in 72 Triple-A at-bats this season.