Psst … what's Fukudome's secret?

MESA, Ariz. -- Apparently, Kosuke Fukudome knows the media game quite well.

Reporters from Japan covering Fukudome say he goes online every day to read the stories they send back home to their papers.

Even though Fukudome uses a translator to answer questions from American reporters, he knows they're often looking for some inside info. He said he has been working on different things at the plate. Like what?

"It's a secret," he replied.

In Tuesday's 10-6 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, Fukudome singled up the middle in his first at-bat. He hit his first homer of the spring in the third inning before singling in the fourth.

So what was the secret?

"After the season," he said.

Fukudome moved back to the second spot in the order after hitting third.

"It doesn't really matter," he said.