After two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, right-hander Hirokazu Sawamura signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball on Saturday to return to Japan. He appeared in 104 games for Boston from 2021-22 and had a 3.39 ERA (4.59 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, 101 strikeouts and 59 walks in 103 2/3 innings pitched over 104 relief appearances. The 34-year-old could come back to the States and sign with a major-league team if he impresses back in Japan, but it's probably unlikely. Sawamura had a 3.73 ERA (4.16 FIP), 1.42 WHIP and 18.1 percent strikeout rate in 50 2/3 innings for Boston last season.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura is on the team's roster for the American League Championship Series. Sawamura pitched to a 3.06 ERA and a 5.00 FIP in 53 innings during the regular season while registering 61 strikeouts and 32 walks. He'll give manager Alex Cora another option out of the bullpen against the Houston Astros. The right-hander previously wasn't on Boston's roster for their Division Series win against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura returned from the injured list Friday, and threw a scoreless inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. He allowed a hit and two walks and struck out one batter. It was a shaky outing for the right-hander who has been quite strong across 39 appearances with a 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings, but that's to be expected after ten days off with right triceps inflammation. He does not need to be added in fantasy.
The Boston Red Sox placed right-hander Hirokazu Sawamura (triceps) on the 10-day injured list on Friday with right triceps inflammation and recalled right-hander Phillips Valdez from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move. Sawamura has been a solid piece for the Red Sox bullpen with his 2.87 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 44/18 K/BB in 37 2/3 relief innings in his first year in Beantown. However, the 33-year-old Japanese reliever is much more valuable in real life to the Red Sox than for fantasy managers. There is no timetable for his return. Valdez has a 4.24 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 21/12 K/BB in 23 1/3 innings over 20 relief appearances for the Red Sox in 2021, but he can also be ignored in fantasy.
Hirokazu Sawamura Walks All Three Batters He Faces Saturday
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura had his worst outing of the season Saturday, entering with a three-run lead and two outs in the eighth inning and promptly walking the bases loaded before being pulled. Sawamura was fortunate that Adam Ottavino managed to record the third out without allowing any of the runners to score. He's largely been excellent, posting a 2.67 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 39 strikeouts in 30 1/3 innings, but with only four holds on the year, fantasy managers are better off looking elsewhere.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura will not need to go on the injured list, according to manager Alex Cora, and is in fact a "full go" Friday. Sawamura had been unavailable Thursday night with a hip injury. With a 2.63 ERA, 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings, and five holds, Sawamura has been an excellent under-the-radar fantasy option for leagues that reward holds.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura was unavailable for Thursday's game against the Houston Astros with a sore hip, and it's possible he will end up on the injured list in the coming days. Sawamura is having a strong season, with a 2.63 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, two wins, four holds, and 33 strikeouts in 24 innings and 22 appearances. If he is rostered in any fantasy formats, he can be dropped, but further updates should be forthcoming.
Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura was nearly unhittable Friday night, allowing only a walk in two innings of work while striking out six Yankee batters. Sawamura has not frequently found himself on the mound in close games, but he's been effective nonetheless with a 2.78 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 31 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. He collected his fourth hold Friday night, and could become a factor in fantasy formats that value those if he finds higher leverage spots. For now he belongs on the waiver wire.
Boston Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura had another scoreless outing on Tuesday, pitching a 1-2-3 seventh inning in the Red Sox's 4-2 win over the Minnesota Twins. This was Sawamura's fifth straight scoreless appearance to open the season, and he has been a major part of one of the best bullpens in baseball. His 1:1 strikeout-to-walk ratio is fairly concerning, but as long as Sawamura keeps preventing runs, he will continue to get high-leverage opportunities.
New Boston Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura had a rough outing on Monday, walking three and failing to finish his only inning of relief in Grapefruit League action. Sawamura, who came over from Japan this offseason, impressed scouts and fans alike with his upper-90s fastball and mid-90s splitter, but outings like this could quickly lose manager Alex Cora's trust. With Adam Ottavino and Matt Barnes both locked into late-inning roles, it's unlikely Sawamura get's many high-leverage situations, which makes him nearly undraftable, even in holds leagues.
