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Koji Uehara Signs Two-Year Contact With Red Sox

BOSTON (CBS) -- Koji Uehara was an instrumental piece of the 2013 World-Series-winning Boston Red Sox, and the veteran reliever is now set to remain with the team for two more years.

The Red Sox announced Thursday afternoon that Uehara and the Red Sox agreed upon a two-year contract that will keep him in a Red Sox uniform through the 2016 season.

According to the Boston Herald, the deal will pay Uehara $18 million over the two years.

Uehara, 39, struck out 80 batters while walking just eight last season, and he did not allow runs in 53 of his 64 appearances.

In 2013, Uehara posted a 1.09 ERA and went 21-for-24 in save opportunities during the regular season. His 0.57 WHIP was the best single-season mark in major league history among pitchers with at least 40 innings, according to the Red Sox.

He was even better in the 2013 postseason, allowing one run over 13 2/3 innings, earning ALCS MVP honors and recording the final out of the World Series at Fenway Park.

The team also noted that Uehara's 1.75 ERA is the best in franchise history for any pitcher with at least 75 innings pitched.

However, Uehara struggled as the 2014 season wore on, as he posted an 11.74 ERA and 2.08 WHIP over his final nine appearances of the season, blowing three saves and taking another loss in the process. Overall in August and September, he posted a 5.74 ERA and 1.468 WHIP. He posted a 1-3 record, with five saves, three blown saves and one hold in that time.

Uehara will turn 40 years old on April 3.

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