The Cincinnati Reds have told Shogo Akiyama that he won't make the Opening Day roster.

Akiyama's three-year, $21 million contract gives him the right to decline a Minor League assignment. He turned down a visit to Triple-A near the end of the 2021 season.

If Akiyama does indeed decline to go to Triple-A again, the Reds seem set to designate him for assignment, and in all likelihood eat the $8 million owed to the outfielder for the 2021 season.