Despite being released by the Boston Red Sox on September 12, Hirokazu Sawamura had been hoping for another major league opportunity. As every team has been looking for help in the bullpen, there was certainly a chance that he would get another opportunity to prove himself.
That opportunity has not materialized. Instead, Sawamura is heading back to Japan and will rejoin the Chiba Lott Marines for the 2023 season.
Hirokazu Sawamura leaves solid tenure with Boston Red Sox behind
The veteran reliever did have some success with the Red Sox. While he was never used in a higher leverage role, he posted a solid 3.39 ERA and a 1.437 WHiP over his 103.2 innings, striking out 101 batters with 59 walks. He was a ground ball machine with a 50.3% ground ball rate, helping alleviate some issues with his command.
That profile would certainly fit in a middle relief role for most major league teams. Sawamura’s ability to strike out nearly a batter per inning, coupled with his ground ball ways, would have been an impressive match for a team with a strong defensive infield.
Instead, he will return to the Marines, the team he rediscovered his form with in 2020. Prior to that deal, the long time Yomiuri Giants reliever had struggled, posting a 6.08 ERA and a 1.650 WHiP over his 13.1 innings. However, with the Marines, he posted a 1.71 ERA and a 0.952 WHiP over his 21 innings, striking out 29 batters with ten walks.
The Marines are hoping that lightning will strike twice. Sawamura may not be a closer any longer, even in Japan, but he can still be a solid option in the latter innings. That is all the Marines need, especially after they re-signed Roberto Osuna as their closer for the upcoming season.
Former Boston Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura has a new home. He is heading back to Japan, returning to the Chiba Lotte Marines for the 2023 season.