Cincinnati Reds notes: Shogo adjusting, Aquino called up, Bell, Winker suspended

When the Cincinnati Reds signed Shogo Akiyama to a three-year, $21 million deal, they thought there was a chance that their long-standing vacuum in the leadoff spot was filled.

It hasn’t worked out that way.

Akiyama, 32, hit for average (.301) and got on base (.376 OBP) during his nine-year career in Japan. He’s done neither with the Reds. He entered Monday’s game with the St. Louis Cardinals hitting .202 with a .298 on-base percentage.

And that was after a two-hit game Sunday – only his second multi-hit game of the year.

“It’s good that the results were there (Sunday),” Reds manager David Bell said. “It’s still very early in the season, very early in his career here. (Sunday), actually the…