| 08 July 2009
From Extra Bases:
Junichi Tazawa,the promising righthanded pitcher signed out of Japan's Industrial League in the offseason, was added to the Red Sox' roster tonight, replacing the ineffective John Smoltz, who was designated for assignment.
The Red Sox also claimed infielder Chris Woodward off waivers from the Seattle Mariners, with lefthanded pitcher Billy Traber designated for assignment to clear a roster spot.
Tazawa is in New York and will be available in the Red Sox the bullpen tonight. The team has not yet named a starter to replace Smoltz on Tuesday, but Tazawa curently appears to be the leading candidate.
The rise to the major leagues has been rapid for the 23-year-old Tazawa. He was was signed by the Red Sox as an amateur free agent Dec. 11, 2008, agreeing to a three-year contract worth $3.3 million. He became a free agent after teams in Japan's professional leagues honored his request and did not draft him so he could pitch in the United States.
"[Tazawa] wouldn't be here if we didn't think he could handle it," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said before tonight's game. "He's a little bit of a unique guy."
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