Koji Uehara Officially Signs One-Year Contract With Red Sox (Photo)

by NESN Staff on Tue, Dec 18, 2012 at 1:07PM

It was widely reported that veteran reliever Koji Uehara had agreed to join the Red Sox bullpen, and that became official on Tuesday morning.

The Red Sox officially announced the signing of Uehara to a one-year deal. While the financial terms of the deal were not enclosed, Uehara’s one-year contract will be reportedly worth $4.25 million.

The signing also gives the Red Sox a full 40-man roster.

Uehara had a terrific 2012 season working out of the Texas Rangers bullpen. He made 37 relief appearances for the Rangers, posting a career-low 1.75 ERA. He was historically efficient in the strike zone as well. Uehara struck out 43 and only walked three in his 36 innings of work. That strikeout-to-walk ratio of 14.33 was the third highest since 1900.

The Japanese right-hander has been murder on right-handed batters, holding them to a .177 batting average against over the last three years.

He’ll wear No. 19 for the Red Sox, taking over the jersey number last worn by Josh Beckett.

See a photo of Uehara officially signing his contract below.