HIROKAZU SAWAMURA NEWS

Lands on injured list Sawamura was placed on the 10-day injured list due to right triceps inflammation Friday, Steve Hewitt of the Boston Herald reports.

Impact Sawamura had allowed two runs in 3.2 innings across his last six appearances, but he's apparently dealing with a triceps injury. It's not yet clear whether he'll need to spend more than the minimum of 10 days on the injured list, but Phillips Valdez was recalled from Triple-A Worcester in a corresponding move.

JULY 23, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hirokazu Sawamura has a simple solution to MLB's sticky situation - a better baseball - The Boston Globe Sawamura believes the tackier baseballs used in Japan and South Korea could be a better answer to baseball's substance issues.

JUNE 24, 2021 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Available Friday Manager Alex Cora said Sawamura (hip) will be available Friday against the Blue Jays, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.

Impact Sawamura last pitched Monday and Cora revealed Thursday that the right-hander wasn't available for the series finale against Houston because of soreness in his right hip. The issue appears to have subsided, with the reliever being a "full go" per Cora. He'll look to contribute out of the Boston bullpen in the series opener.

JUNE 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Battling hip injury Manager Alex Cora said Sawamura is dealing with a sore right hip and won't be available out of the bullpen Thursday for the Red Sox's game against the Astros, Bill Koch of The Prov...

Impact Boston will hold off on placing Sawamura on the injured list for now, though that plan could change if the team needs another fresh arm in the bullpen heading into the four-game series with the Blue Jays that begins Friday. The 32-year-old right-hander has been a key setup arm for Boston thus far during his rookie season, making 22 appearances while posting a 2.63 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 12.4 K/9 while gathering five holds.

JUNE 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Gets big out Sawamura (2-0) allowed one walk and struck out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to pick up the win in Monday's 5-3 victory over Miami.

Impact Sawamura entered with two out and two men on in the sixth inning, then he walked a batter to load the bases before getting Starling Marte on a splitter to end the threat. It was another example of manager Alex Cora's growing confidence in the reliever, who has a 0.93 ERA and 16 strikeouts over his last 9.2 innings, including a marvelous five-strikeout effort against the Yankees last Friday.

JUNE 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Impressive Friday Sawamura walked one and struck out five over two scoreless innings in Friday's 5-2 win over the Yankees.

Impact The Yankees plated two runs (one earned) against tiring starter Nathan Eovaldi in the sixth inning, so it was up to Boston's bullpen to preserve the lead. Normally in a tight game, Adam Ottavino, who was warming during the sixth, would be involved as a setup option, but manager Alex Cora let an impressive Sawamura pitch the seventh and eighth innings. Since Cora mentioned the pitcher's propensity for giving up home runs, Sawamura has not allowed one over his last 8.1 innings (eight appearances).

JUNE 5, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hi-Chew bridges cultural gap; injury updates BOSTON -- As Hirokazu Sawamura tries to take on added responsibility in the bullpen, he is also learning to bridge cultural gaps with his te...

MAY 13, 2021 • MLB.COM

Long balls a concern Red Sox manager Alex Cora wants Sawamura to elevate his fastball more often as a way to limit home runs, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sawamura has allowed four home runs over 14.1 innings (2.5 HR/9), and Cora feels that's because the pitcher keeps his fastball down in the zone. "Actually, we want him to elevate," said Cora. "[Friday], his velocity was up, it was 97-98 [mph]. But at this level, it seems like fastball down in the zone, that's where they're hunting and they put good swings on it. Besides that he's been OK." It used to be that pitching down in the zone was preferable as it would lead to more groundballs than a damaging hit, but those days appear to be over. "I'm not saying, just throw it up there all the time, you've got to get ahead, but you can expand up," Cora added. If Sawamura can make that adjustment, he could be used in high-leverage spots.

MAY 9, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Red Sox’ Hirokazu Sawamura continuing to gain confidence in new environment After arriving late to spring training because of visa issues, the right-hander seems to be gaining more confidence and learning more about...

APRIL 24, 2021 • BOSTONHERALD.COM

Earns first MLB win Sawamura (1-0) picked up his first MLB win, allowing one hit and striking out three over 1.1 innings in Friday's victory over Seattle.

Impact Sawamura entered during the fourth inning for starter Martin Perez, whose lack of command forced manager Alex Cora to go the bullpen early. The pitcher, who entered with two on and two out, struck out Mitch Haniger to prevent any more damage. The Japanese right-hander put Haniger away with a splitter, the pitch with a nasty reputation from his days in Japan. "I think the action is a lot better," Cora said about Sawamura's splitter, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. "And it started in Minnesota I think. He threw one at 95 (mph) with great action. It feels like little by little, it's getting there." Sawamura has allowed just two runs over 10 innings (1.80 ERA) while holding opposing batters to a .182 batting average.

APRIL 24, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Throws scoreless inning Sawamura walked one and hit a batter over a scoreless inning in Tuesday's 6-5 extra-innings win over the Rays.

Impact This was Sawamura's third late-inning appearance, and he remains unscored upon while dancing around three walks, one hit and a hit batsman. He, along with Adam Ottavino, Darwinzon Hernandez and Matt Barnes are considered the high-leverage, late-inning crew.

APRIL 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Has clean outing Sawamura struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings in Wednesday's spring game against Baltimore.

Impact It was his first clean outing of the spring. In each of his three previous appearances, the right-hander had allowed at least one hit and walk; in fact, he walked three batters in each of his two first outings. Boston manager Alex Cora was encouraged by the results, per Christopher Smith of MassLive.com. "You can tell he feels more comfortable," Cora said. "He's been able to throw sliders for strikes. Today was his best fastball out of all the outings." The Red Sox are chalking up his early struggles to adapting to a new league and culture. Sawamura is expected to serve as a setup option late in games.

MARCH 25, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Lessons learned: Sawamura vows he'll adjust Adjustments. They are everywhere that Red Sox righty reliever Hirokazu Sawamura looks these days. There is the new culture after living a li...

MARCH 15, 2021 • MLB.COM

Hits wall in debut Sawamura allowed one run on one hit and three walks while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning in Friday's spring game against Tampa Bay.

Impact Sawamura, who made his Grapefruit League debut, retired the first two batters before giving up a double and three straight walks, which ended the outing prematurely. At this point, the results are not important. The Japanese pitcher got his feet wet against MLB competition and will continue building up to a role in Boston's bullpen. He's next scheduled to pitch Monday.

MARCH 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Throws to hitters Sawamura threw an inning of a simulated game Tuesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sawamura threw all of his pitches -- sliders, splitters and fastballs -- and struck out three while allowing only weak contact on a bloop. "For a sim game you can see the fastball, good spin on it, good velocity, the split should be good, and should play," said manager Alex Cora. Sawamura has thrown a bullpen session and sim game, so the next step is appearing in Grapefruit League game, but that has not yet been scheduled.

MARCH 10, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Sawamura has VIP onlooker in 1st sim game FORT MYERS, Fla. -- While Hirokazu Sawamura pitched on the main diamond at JetBlue Park for the first time on Tuesday -- albeit in a sim gam...

MARCH 9, 2021 • MLB.COM

Good first impression from Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura - The Boston Globe The righthander struck out three and threw 13 of his 17 pitches for strikes in a simulated game.

MARCH 9, 2021 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Red Sox: Impressive first look at reliever Hirokazu Sawamura Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura was impressive on the mound Boston Red Sox fans were treated to their first glimpse of Hirokazu Sawamura...

MARCH 9, 2021 • BOSOXINJECTION.COM

Here's Your First Look At Hirokazu Sawamura Pitching For Red Sox Boston Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura made his spring training debut Tuesday, striking out three of four batters in a simulated outing.

MARCH 9, 2021 • NESN.COM

Throws first bullpen Sawamura threw his first bullpen session in camp Wednesday, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

Impact Sawamura threw fastballs and splitters during his 23-pitch session. He served as a closer the last two seasons in Japan but is not yet in the closer mix for Boston. However, manager Alex Cora envisions him as part of the crew that will work the final third of games, joining Matt Barnes, Darwinzon Hernandez and Adam Ottavino.

MARCH 4, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Hirokazu Sawamura ‘excited’ after making first bullpen appearance for Red Sox - The Boston Globe The 32-year-old righthander, who had a 2.77 ERA in nine seasons in Japan, drew plenty of onlookers while throwing 23 pitches in his first sp...

MARCH 3, 2021 • BOSTONGLOBE.COM

Ready for workouts Sawamura has arrived in Fort Myers and gone through intake procedures and is expected to join team workouts Monday, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

Impact Sawamura was one of several players around the league who faced delays when entering the country for camp. While he certainly would have preferred a full spring to get acclimated to his new club, he still has a month to get up to speed by Opening Day.

MARCH 1, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Not in closer mix Sawamura will not be the Red Sox closer this season, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Impact Manager Alex Cora clarified Saturday that the battle was between Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino. Sawamura saved 75 games in his 10-year NPB career, though only two of those have come in the last four seasons, so the idea that he'd jump from a non-closing role in Japan to a closer job at the highest level doesn't make a lot of sense. The Red Sox have yet to get the chance to see Sawamura in person as his arrival has been delayed by visa issues, but he was on his way across the Pacific on Saturday.

FEBRUARY 27, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Arriving Saturday Sawamura will fly from Japan to Florida on Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

Impact Visa issues have delayed Sawamura as he looks to link up with his new teammates. He'll still face a few more days of delays once he arrives as he goes through the intake process, but he should still have time to ramp up to game shape by Opening day.

FEBRUARY 26, 2021 • ROTOWIRE

Still out of camp Red Sox general manager Chaim Bloom said Sawamura (visa issues) is expected to be in Florida in "a week or so," Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

Impact It's unclear if the delay in arrival will cause Sawamura to be unavailable for the start of the regular season. Manager Alex Cora plans to use Sawamura in the final three innings, along with Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino.

FEBRUARY 22, 2021 • ROTOWIRE