Infielder Munenori Kawasaki was told by the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday that he will start the season in the minors.
The 33-year-old utility man will stay with the top team for Toronto's three remaining exhibition games before joining Triple-A Buffalo. The Blue Jays open their season April 6 against Masahiro Tanaka and the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium.
"I won't be in the majors from the start of the season, but the practice has been rewarding," Kawasaki said. "I know where I fall short now. I've come to understand just how amazing it is for a Japanese position player to be in the majors."
Fourth-year Kawasaki has a minor-league deal with Toronto and was fighting for a place on the opening-day roster. He is batting .333 in 21 games this spring.