After two seasons with the Boston Red Sox, right-hander Hirokazu Sawamura signed with the Chiba Lotte Marines of Nippon Professional Baseball on Saturday to return to Japan. He appeared in 104 games for Boston from 2021-22 and had a 3.39 ERA (4.59 FIP), 1.44 WHIP, 101 strikeouts and 59 walks in 103 2/3 innings pitched over 104 relief appearances. The 34-year-old could come back to the States and sign with a major-league team if he impresses back in Japan, but it's probably unlikely. Sawamura had a 3.73 ERA (4.16 FIP), 1.42 WHIP and 18.1 percent strikeout rate in 50 2/3 innings for Boston last season.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura is on the team's roster for the American League Championship Series. Sawamura pitched to a 3.06 ERA and a 5.00 FIP in 53 innings during the regular season while registering 61 strikeouts and 32 walks. He'll give manager Alex Cora another option out of the bullpen against the Houston Astros. The right-hander previously wasn't on Boston's roster for their Division Series win against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays.

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hirokazu Sawamura returned from the injured list Friday, and threw a scoreless inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. He allowed a hit and two walks and struck out one batter. It was a shaky outing for the right-hander who has been quite strong across 39 appearances with a 2.79 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, and 45 strikeouts in 38 2/3 innings, but that's to be expected after ten days off with right triceps inflammation. He does not need to be added in fantasy.