Junichi Tazawa

While Tazawa attracted the attention of American scouts, NPB announced that the major leagues of two nations had a gentlemen's agreement against signing Japanese amateurs, and general manager Brian Cashman, whose New York Yankees had a partnership agreement with Yomiuri Giants, said his team considered Tazawa hands off. However, Rob Manfred, MLB’s executive vice president for labor and human resources (and current MLB commissioner) denied that any gentleman's agreement was in place regarding the signing of Japanese amateur players.

On January 26, 2019, Tazawa signed a minor-league deal with the Chicago Cubs. He was released on March 23, 2019. He re-signed with the Cubs on March 26. Tazawa was later released again on July 11, 2019.

On August 11, 2019, Tazawa signed a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds and was assigned to the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts. He was released by the organization prior to the season on March 10, 2020.

Tazawa was designated for assignment on May 17, 2018, and was released on May 21. He had a 9.00 ERA in 22 appearances at the time of his release.

On June 4, 2018, Tazawa signed a minor league deal with the Detroit Tigers. On July 9, he was released by the Toledo Mud Hens, the Triple-A affiliate of the Tigers.

On July 13, 2018, Tazawa was signed by the Los Angeles Angels on a minor-league contract. He will report to the Angels' spring training facility in Arizona. He was promoted to the major leagues on September 1, 2018. He became a free agent after the season ended.

On December 16, 2016, Tazawa signed a two-year, $12 million dollar deal with the Miami Marlins. Tazawa struggled in his first season, going 3-5 with a 5.69 ERA in 55 appearances.

On May 1, 2015, New York Yankees Slugger Alex Rodriguez hit a 3–0 93 mph fastball off Tazawa into the seats of Fenway in the eighth inning for his 660th career home run to tie Willie Mays for fourth place on the all time home runs list.

In May 2013, Tazawa was named interim closer after injuries to Joel Hanrahan and Andrew Bailey. By the end of July he had settled into the primary right-handed setup role ahead of new closer Koji Uehara. He continued in that role through Boston's run to the World Series championship, including pitching important innings in the ALCS and World Series. In 13 postseason appearances, Tazawa allowed only one run. He earned the win in the decisive Game 6 of the ALCS.

Tazawa has three main pitches that include a 92-95 mph fastball (tops out at 97 mph), a curveball (73–77 mph), and a forkball/splitter (86–88 mph).

Tazawa started 2012 in Triple-A Pawtucket before being called up to Boston on April 18 to replace the struggling Mark Melancon. Tazawa was optioned back to Triple-A on May 1. Tazawa was one of the rare bright spots in a dismal 2012 season, posting a 1.43 ERA in 44 innings. On April 26, 2012 against the Chicago White Sox, Tazawa tossed three scoreless innings for his first career save.

In April 2010, Tazawa underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow and was knocked out for the entire 2010 season. He began the 2011 season on the 60-day disabled list but eventually returned to pitch in three games for the Red Sox in 2011.

On March 22, 2009, Red Sox optioned Tazawa to its AA affiliate, Portland Sea Dogs.

After achieving a record of 9–5 in 18 starts with a 2.57 ERA with Portland, Tazawa was promoted to the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox on July 27, 2009. While in Portland, Tazawa was named to the 2009 Eastern League All Star team, was tied in second for total number of wins, and was tied for third in total strikeouts with 88.

On August 7, 2009, Tazawa was activated from Pawtucket after the Red Sox designated John Smoltz for assignment. He made his debut that night against the New York Yankees in Yankee Stadium in the 14th inning. Tazawa was the last pitcher left in the bullpen for the Red Sox. The first batter he faced was countryman Hideki Matsui, who lined out. In the bottom of the 15th, Tazawa surrendered a two-run walk off home run to Alex Rodriguez.

Tazawa's first major league start was on August 11, 2009, against the Detroit Tigers. In the first inning of the start Tazawa hit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera in the hand while elevating on a fastball, to which Tigers starter Rick Porcello retaliated in trying to throw at Victor Martinez. In the next inning Cabrera was forced to leave the game due to his hand continuing to ail him. The first pitch thrown by Porcello in the bottom of the second inning hit Kevin Youkilis causing him to charge the mound, clearing both the benches and leading to the ejection of Youkilis and Porcello. Tazawa would go on to pitch five innings, winning the game while giving up one earned run and striking out six. With his start, Tazawa became the second youngest Japanese pitcher to start in a major league game. Tazawa's second start came against the Texas Rangers. He pitched five innings, giving up four runs on 10 hits and three walks and taking the loss. In his third start, against the New York Yankees, Tazawa pitched six scoreless innings, allowing eight hits, two walks and striking out two in the win.

In 2008, Tazawa posted a 10–1 record for Nippon Oil, with a 1.02 earned run average and 95 strikeouts in 88​⁄3 innings. In the national corporate league championships, he posted two straight shutouts, the second one a complete game on four hits, 10 strikeouts and zero walks in a 4–0 quarterfinal win over Hitachi, Ltd. Tazawa appeared less than 24 hours later in a relief appearance in the semifinal against Central Japan Railway. He pitched 2 and 2/3 innings, and allowed three hits, struck out one, and gave up the go-ahead run in a 3–2 loss. Tazawa was the MVP of the championships, with a 4–0 record and 36 strikeouts.

In September 2008, Tazawa announced his intention to skip the NPB draft in order to pursue a career with a Major League team. During the 2008 season, his manager Hideaki Okubo encouraged him to attempt a career in Major League Baseball without first playing with a Nippon Professional Baseball team. Had Tazawa joined a Japanese professional team, he would have had to either wait nine years to become a free agent, or to hope that his team would auction the right to negotiate with him through the posting system.

On December 4, 2008, Tazawa signed with the Boston Red Sox, reportedly for $3 million over three years. After his debut on August 7, 2009, he became the third Japanese player, after Mac Suzuki and Kazuhito Tadano, to play in Major League Baseball without first playing professionally in Japan.

Junichi Tazawa (田澤 純一 , Tazawa Jun'ichi, born June 6, 1986) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Miami Marlins and Los Angeles Angels.