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.

With the Red Sox falling out of postseason contention, manager John Farrell will not be pushing Tazawa over the final six weeks, the Providence Journal reports. Farrell tired not to use Tazawa on Friday, which is why he didn't pitch the eighth inning, but he did end up coming on in extra innings.

Red Sox avoided arbitration with RHP Junichi Tazawa by agreeing to a one-year, $1.275 million contract. Tazawa was arbitration-eligible for the first time and earned a raise after posting a 3.16 with over a strikeout per inning in 2013. He'll serve as Koji Uehara's setup man in 2014.

Junichi Tazawa pitched two scoreless innings for the victory Thursday as the Red Sox came from behind to beat the Rays. Tazawa needed some work -- he hadn't pitched since giving up a homer in the ninth and taking a loss on Saturday -- so the Red Sox had him come in while down 3-1 in the eighth. He stayed in to pitch the ninth after the team took a 4-3 lead, and he made it stand up for his third win of the year. He still hasn't had a save chance since replacing Joel Hanrahan in the closer's role nine days ago.

Junichi Tazawa gave up a go-ahead homer in Saturday's loss to the Blue Jays. Tazawa entered the game with the score tied at 2-2, but he gave up a solo blast to Adam Lind to begin the top of the ninth. After allowing just one home run in 44 innings last season, Tazawa has already given up three in 16 1/3 innings this year. We still prefer him over Koji Uehara as the fill-in closer, but Andrew Bailey (biceps) is the best option for the job if healthy.

Red Sox manager John Farrell said on MLB Network Radio on Tuesday that he'd like to use Junichi Tazawa in the closer role and keep Koji Uehara in the eighth inning. Joel Hanrahan left Monday's game with forearm soreness and is expected to be re-evaluated Tuesday, but he's likely looking at a stint on the disabled list. While many considered Uehara the favorite to fill in at closer, Farrell thinks Tazawa has the velocity and demeanor for the gig. Of course, it's fair to assume that he wants to stay away from leaning on Uehara too heavily. Either way, Tazawa has the goods and should be owned in all fantasy formats.