The Red Sox recalled Uwasawa from Triple-A Worcester on Sunday.
Uwasawa has made a trio of five-inning starts for Worcester since he was optioned to the affiliate after the Red Sox acquired him from the Rays shortly before Opening Day, but the Japanese right-hander looks like he'll be making his MLB debut as a member of Boston's bullpen. He'll tentatively slot in as a multi-inning relief option, but with three members of the Boston rotation currently on the injured list, Uwasawa could eventually get a chance to make some starts if depth arms such as Cooper Criswell, Josh Winckowski and Chase Anderson aren't able to get the job done as fill-ins in the rotation.
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Red Sox's Naoyuki Uwasawa: Added to roster, optioned
Rotowire
The Red Sox selected Uwasawa's contract and optioned him to their spring training complex, Dennis Lin of The Athletic reports.
Uwasawa is now on Boston's 40-man roster after being acquired via trade from the Rays on Wednesday, but he'll remain at extended spring training for now. The righty should eventually join Triple-A Worcester's rotation.
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Red Sox's Naoyuki Uwasawa: Acquired by Boston
Rotowire
The Red Sox acquired Uwasawa from the Rays on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Topkin says Uwasawa triggered an assignment clause in his minor-league contract. That suggests the Red Sox plan to add him to the major-league roster, although that hasn't officially been done yet. Uwasawa held a 13.03 ERA this spring but posted a 2.96 ERA across 170 innings during his last season in Japan in 2023.
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Rays' Naoyuki Uwasawa: Reassigned to minor-league camp
Rotowire
The Rays reassigned Uwasawa to minor-league camp Friday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Uwasawa had a chance to win a spot in the Rays' rotation, but he really struggled in Grapefruit League play, yielding 14 earned runs over 9.2 innings. He should be part of Triple-A Durham's rotation to begin the season.
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Rays' Naoyuki Uwasawa: Better showing in fourth outing
Rotowire
Uwasawa allowed one run across four innings while striking out three and walking one in Friday's Grapefruit League game against Baltimore.
The Rays are dealing with injuries in the rotation, leaving them shorthanded to start the regular season. Uwasawa is one of the potential options to see an increased role, but he struggled to make a case for himself in three outings prior to Friday, allowing 13 earned runs across 5.2 frames. He noted after the game that he rushed less thanks to his increased level of comfort with the pitch clock, per Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Uwasawa still likely isn't a favorite to open the campaign in the rotation, but he may be able to secure a roster spot as a reliever.
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Rays' Naoyuki Uwasawa: In mix for rotation spot
Rotowire
Uwasawa is a candidate to open the year as the Rays' No. 5 starter due to Taj Bradley (pectoral) being ruled out for the start of the season, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
The 30-year-old Uwasawa is attempting to make the jump stateside after a long, successful career in Japan. He has struggled in a major way so far in spring training, allowing 13 runs on 11 hits -- including three home runs -- while walking seven over 5.2 innings. The right-hander can opt out of his minor-league contract with the Rays if he does not make the big-league roster out of camp.
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Rays' Naoyuki Uwasawa: Struggles in first spring outing
Rotowire
Uwasawa struggled with the pitch clock and PitchCom in his first Grapefruit League outing Thursday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.
Uwasawa allowed seven runs on eight hits and a walk across two innings against Atlanta. He acknowledged his discomfort during the outing but also noted that he felt his stuff was good enough to get better results. Manager Kevin Cash was also willing to write off the performance, chalking up the results to Uwasawa's adjustment to the majors. He's in camp on a minor-league deal and could operate as a back-end starter or multi-inning reliever if he makes the team.
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Rays' Naoyuki Uwasawa: Can opt out
Rotowire
Uwasawa has an opt-out clause in his contract with the Rays if he doesn't make the big-league roster out of spring training, Adam Berry of MLB.com reports.
Uwasawa joined the Rays after pitching in Japan for the last nine seasons, and he has a chance to win a spot in the team's bullpen out of spring training. He noted his excitement about joining the Rays due to the club's track record of success in developing pitchers. Uwasawa also noted that he would accept an assignment to Triple-A Durham, so it doesn't seem as if he's eager to find work elsewhere even if his career stateside begins in the minors.
