TAZAWA IMPRESSES BOSOX, SHIPPED TO DOUBLE-A TEAM

It was nothing he did or said. The Boston Red Sox have actually been impressed by free agent signee Junichi Tazawa this spring, but still sent him to their Class AA Eastern League affiliate in Portland, Maine last week. The 22-year-old pitcher signed with Boston over the winter after declaring he would not enter the Japanese player draft after a stellar season in amateur ball last summer. He pitched in five Grapefruit League games for Boston, allowing just one run in nine innings, striking out ten batters and walking one.


Red Sox manager Terry Francona said, “Tazawa was lights-out. He commanded his fastball, and his breaking ball was swing-and-miss. He had an extraordinary camp. He just needs experience.”

39-year-old reliever Takashi Saito said of Tazawa, “He’s keeping a very level head about him, putting in his work and working very hard. I think he’s got it together very well.”