Junichi Tazawa, Relief Pitcher

Date of Birth: 6/6/1986
Birthplace: Yokohama, Japan

Junichi Tazawa, relief pitcher, didn't play professional baseball in Japan. He played in a corporate league before deciding to play professionally in North America. He signed with the Boston Red Sox on December 4, 2008.

Tazawa pitched in 4 games as a starting pitcher and 2 games in relief with the Red Sox in 2009. He had a 7.46 ERA in 25.1 innings. He also pitched 109.1 innings in 20 games as a starter in the minors.

Tazawa had Tommy John surgery in April, 2010, and he missed the entire season. The following season, he pitched just 3.0 innings in 3 games with the Red Sox. He spent the rest of the season on the DL, recovering from his surgery, and in the minors. In 2012, he split his time between the majors and the minors, pitching in 37 games of relief with the Red Sox. He finished the season with 1 win and 1 loss, 1 save, 45 strikeouts to 5 walks, and a career low ERA of 1.43 in 44.0 innings.

In 2013, Tazawa had career highs in games played (71), innings pitched (68.1), and strikeouts (72 to just 12 walks). He had a 3.16 ERA. The following season, he again pitched in 71 games and he had an ERA of 2.86.

Tazawa spent time on the DL in 2016 with a shoulder injury. He pitched in 53 games and he finished with 3 wins and 2 losses, 54 strikeouts to 14 walks, and a 4.17 ERA in 49.2 innings. He didn't pitch in the postseason.

Tazawa became a free agent on November 3, 2016. A month later, on December 16th, he signed a two-year, $12 million contract with the Miami Marlins. He finished the 2017 season with 3 wins and 5 losses, 38 strikeouts to 22 walks, and a 5.69 ERA in 55.1 innings in 55 games.

The Marlins released Tazawa on May 21, 2018. He signed a minor league contract with the Detroit Tigers on June 3rd, and he was released on July 9th. He signed a minor league contract with the Los Angeles Angels on July 13th. He finished the 2018 season with 1 win and 1 loss, 28 strikeouts to 16 walks, and a 7.07 ERA in 22 games with the Marlins and 9 games with the Angels.

Tazawa became a free agent on October 29, 2018. He signed a minor league contract with the Chicago Cubs on January 26, 2019. He was released on March 24th, and then signed a new minor league contract with the Cubs on April 4th. He was released again on July 11th. He signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds on August 11th. He spent the 2019 season in the minors.

The Reds released Tazawa on March 10, 2020. He didn't play professional baseball in 2020.

Tazawa played in China in 2021.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Junichi Tazawa
ESPN - Junichi Tazawa