The next Red Sox pitcher in line for saves has been named.
Junichi Tazawa is the third Red Sox reliever named closer in this young 2013 season. Red Sox manager John Farrell told Jim Duquette on MLB Network Radio that Tazawa will close while Joel Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey deal with injuries. Bailey was put on the 15-day disabled list Monday, and Hanrahan hurt his arm in the ninth inning Monday night.
The decision was expected to come down to Tazawa and Koji Uehara. Tazawa has a 2.51 ERA on the season with a 0.977 WHIP. He has zero saves in 2013, although he has finished one game for the Red Sox.
Tazawa has just one career save, which came in 2012. The Japanese pitcher was the Red Sox’ best reliever last season, when he posted a 1.43 ERA and 0.955 WHIP in 37 appearances.
