Tazawa Sent Down to Rookie League, McBeth Called up From Pawtucket

With just two days remaining until rosters expand and an always-present need for arms, the Boston Red Sox have sent Junichi Tazawa to the Gulf Coast League and called up right-handed pitcher Marcus McBeth from Triple-A Pawtucket.

Tazawa, in five appearances for the Red Sox, went 2-3 with a 6.65 ERA. His best start was on Aug. 22 against the Yankees, when Tazawa pitched six shutout innings. His next performance, however, was a disappointment, as the 23-year-old gave up nine runs in just four innings in a loss to the White Sox.

McBeth, 29, is 2-2 with a 2.70 ERA in 42 appearances for the PawSox this year. He has 62 strikeouts and just 27 walks, holding batters to a .199 batting average. He appeared in 23 major league games in 2007 for the Cincinnati Reds, going 3-2 with a 5.95 ERA.

The season for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox ends on Monday, so Tazawa's stay is expected to be short-lived.