Red Sox Shut Down Tazawa For Rest Of Season
BOSTON (CBS) -- Junichi Tazawa's season is over, as the Red Sox shut down the reliever for the rest of the 2015 campaign on Tuesday.
Interim manager Torey Lovullo made the announcement after Tuesday night's 6-5, 13-inning loss in Baltimore.
"Tazawa has been shut down for the year," Lovullo told reporters. "We decided a short time before the game that would be in our best interests. Taz has been a warrior for the past three years. Over 70 appearances in two consecutive seasons, was on pace for that this year. This was our way to pay him back, to get a jump-start on an offseason, recuperate, get strong and focus on 2016.
"I want to just make this perfectly clear, there is no injury," added Lovullo. "There is nothing behind this other than to give him a rest."
Tazawa had struggled for Boston since the start of August, sporting an 0-4 record with a 9.22 ERA over his last 15 appearances. He last pitched Friday night against the Tampa Bay Rays, getting hit with the loss after allowing four runs in a third of an inning in a 8-4 defeat.
"He could pitch if we asked him to," said Lovullo. "But, like I said, we're trying to pay Taz back for what he's done for us."
Tazawa tossed 58.2 innings this season, striking out 56 batters while going 2-7 with a 4.14 ERA and 1.33 WHIP. He led the American League with seven blown saves.
