Tazawa notched his third save by yielding one hit over one inning in a 3-0 victory over the White Sox on Wednesday.

Tazawa was roughed up for four earned runs in his last appearance against the Royals at Fenway, so Wednesday's effort served as a solid rebound. After an effective start to the 2015 campaign, Tazawa's performance has certainly fluctuated since mid-June. The 29-year-old reliever has continued to fight inconsistency in August, going only 3-for-7 in save opportunities during the month while also suffering three losses in relief. However, Koji Uehara's season-ending injury is expected to continue to provide Tazawa with numerous closing opportunities during the remaining weeks of the 2015 season.

Interim manager Torey Lovullo indicated that Tazawa will continue to get save opportunities, the Boston Globe reports.

Tazawa blew a save Sunday in spectacular fashion, but Lovullo said, "for sure," when asked if he plans to stick with Tazawa as one of the relievers called on to close games. The Red Sox have not named a replacement for Koji Uehara and will continue to trot out relievers based on matchups.

Tazawa was hit with the blown save and the loss Sunday, allowing four earned runs on six hits and a walk over one inning.

Tazawa was hit with his fourth blown save of the month in what was arguably his worst outing of the season. This is particularly discouraging considering that he had converted back-to-back save opportunities earlier in the week. He and Jean Machi will continue to battle for save opportunities the rest of the way out, but the recent effort couldn't have helped Tazawa's chances.

Tazawa got the call in the ninth for the second consecutive day Thursday against the Royals, retiring the side on 10 pitches for his second save of the year.

The day Tazawa's fantasy owners have been waiting -- and waiting, and waiting -- for is finally here. With saves on consecutive days, it looks like he's seized control of the closer role, and it wouldn't be surprising if he doesn't look back the rest of the way.

Tazawa picked up his first save of the year with a perfect ninth inning Wednesday against the Indians.

Jean Machi pitched in the eighth, and not well -- he gave up a pair of runs (plus an inherited run) courtesy of a Yan Gomes three-run homer while getting just one out. Tazawa has been a bit uneven recently, but represents the highest-upside ninth-inning option among the Boston relievers; the question is whether he can stay consistent down the stretch. If he can, he could end up seizing all the save chances.

Tazawa blew the save Tuesday night, giving up a run on two hits in an extra-inning loss to the Marlins. He was selected to close based on the matchups coming up in the ninth inning.

This was the first save opportunity since it was announced Koji Uehara would miss the remainder of the season with a wrist injury. Tazawa has had some recent problems, giving up runs in three of his previous four outings and picking up two losses and three blown saves during that stretch.

Tazawa is a candidate to pick up save opportunities while Koji Uehara is out for the remained of the season with a wrist injury, the Boston Herald reports.

Manager John Farrell said both Tazawa and the recently acquired Jean Machi will get opportunities. Farrell likes Tazawa in a set up role, so we may see Machi grab more ninth-inning chances.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said he plans to limit Tazawa's usage over the final weeks of the season, the Boston Globe reports. "Where we are right now, probably going to bring him in games where we're either tied or ahead. Not to say we wouldn't use him down a run, but we've got an opportunity to manage his usage a little bit more," Farrell said.

With Boston out of realistic contention for the postseason, Farrell can use Tazawa more judiciously. The right-handed set up man has made 203 appearances over the last three seasons, including playoffs.

Tazawa allowed two runs on three hits in one inning to pick up a blown save and a loss Sunday against Tampa Bay. Sunday was Tazawa's second consecutive blown save.

It's fair to wonder if Boston's thin bullpen has finally had an impact on Tazawa, who saw batters tag him for a .302 average in the month of July. He's also on pace for a third straight season of more than 70 appearances. He had a similar bout of ineffective pitching last year in the months of July and August, but righted himself for September.

Tazawa made his first appearance in a week, walking one and striking out one in a scoreless inning in Sunday's win over the Astros.

Tazawa was noticeably absent in the series against the Blue Jays and then unavailable for use Friday, leading to speculation in the Boston Globe that he was dealing with shoulder fatigue.

Tazawa was not able to pitch Friday night because he had thrown a bullpen session earlier in the day, the Providence Journal reports.

Tazawa had been given the Toronto series off and the Red Sox didn't want him taking the mound before having him throw a side session. That's a decision that proved costly, as the Red Sox were forced to use rookie Noe Ramirez in the 10th inning against the Houston Astros. The rookie allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and a hit batsman.

Tazawa contributed to Boston's bullpen meltdown Friday night, allowing five runs (four earned) on four hits without retiring a batter in the Jays' 13-10 win.

Matt Barnes started the inning by allowing three hits without recording an out, and Boston's primary set-up man then came on and added fuel to the fire. Between them they allowed eight runs (seven earned) without recording an out in a nine-run seventh inning that propelled the struggling Red Sox to an ugly loss.

Tazawa has allowed three homers in his last five appearances. He hasn't thrown a clean inning in his last six appearances.

Tazawa, Boston's Sox primary set up man, was skipped Tuesday night in favor of Alexi Ogando. This is probably more to do with Tazawa having pitched the night before -- and needing 29 pitches -- but it's worth noting his recent stretch.

Tazawa pitched a scoreless inning Wednesday night to earn his fifth hold of the season in a win over Toronto.

A nice outing for Tazawa against a team that's owned him over the years. He shook off a two-appearance run in which he's been scored upon. In 11 appearances this season, Tazawa's struck out 11 and walked one in 10.2 innings.

Tazawa pitched a scoreless inning in Boston's 19-inning win over the Yankees on Friday. He's had two scoreless appearances to start the season.

Tazawa did what he's done many times -- pitched the eighth inning and teed up the save for a Boston closer. Only this time, Edward Mujica was unable to live up to the title of "closer."

Tazawa may be given some save opportunities with Koji Uehara (hamstring) expected to start the season on the disabled list, the Boston Globe reports.

The primary fill-in closer will be Edward Mujica, but manager John Farrell listed Tazawa among the other relievers who could get a chance.

Tazawa threw a scoreless inning and struck out one in Monday's game against the Mets.

Tazawa's has allowed one run in four spring innings. He's right in line to open the season as one of Boston's key setup men to be a bridge to Koji Uehara.

Tazawa threw a scoreless inning in Monday's game against the Cardinals.

Tazawa's made a couple of spring appearances, but the Red Sox aren't going to tax him. They'll need him for approximately 70 games during the regular season, plus any postseason play should Boston qualify.

Tazawa agreed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract with the Red Sox on Friday, Mike Perchick of WAPT reports.

Tazawa is coming off a great season in 2014 in which he posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.19 WHIP with 64 strikeouts in 63 innings. He could be an outside candidate for closing duties in 2015 should Koji Uehara and/or Edward Mujica struggle.

The Red Sox will tender Tazawa a contract, Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe reports.

This makes perfect sense for the Red Sox, as Tazawa proved a steal at the $1.275 million he got last season in his first year of arbitration and should again in 2015 while making in the range of $2 million. Tazawa posted a 2.86 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 64:17 K:BB and 16 holds in 63 innings last season.