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Red Sox' Uehara Triggers Option For 2014

BOSTON (CBS) - Koji Uehara will be back in the Boston bullpen in 2014.

With his appearance in Tuesday night's 4-2, 11 inning win over the Toronto Blue Jays -- Uehara's 55th of the season -- the 38-year-old Uehara triggered his $4.25 million vesting option for the 2014 season. Incentives could push the value of the deal up to $5 million.

"He's more than deserving," Red Sox manager John Farrell said following Tuesday night's win -- according to CSNNE's Sean McAdam. "He's been an outstanding pitcher for us since Day One and we don't see that changing because of the competitor he is, how talented he is and how he prepares."

Uehara is now 3-0 on the season after retiring all four batters he faced over his 1.1 inning appearance on Tuesday. He has been one of the most dominating relievers in baseball this year, and has been solid filling in as Boston's closer in late June. He has notched saves in 12 of his 15 chances, and has a 0.37 ERA since taking over for Andrew Bailey.

Overall, Uehara touts a 1.32 ERA with 75 strikeouts and just nine walks in 54.1 innings. His 12.35 strikeouts per nine innings and .147 opponents' batting average leads AL relievers with at least 50 innings.

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