Red Sox Make More Cuts; Down to 46 in Camp

With just over two weeks remaining in Spring Training, the Red Sox management made another round of big league roster cuts.  In total, seven players were told the news they were hoping to avoid and headlining the group is pitcher Junichi Tazawa.

Tazawa, along with RHP Clayton Mortenson and catcher Luis Exposito were optioned to AAA Pawtucket to start the season.  Although Tazawa was considered a long shot to make the Opening Day roster, he did make the decision difficult with a fine outing in his last appearance on Wednesday.  The right-hander from Japan threw three scoreless innings while only surrendering one hit and striking out two.  It was by far his best of the spring, which brought his totals to seven innings of work while giving up six hits, three runs (all earned), three walks and three K’s.  A small sample pool to say the least, but only one rough outing where he gave up all three runs in just one inning against Baltimore and the rest was respectable.

Injuries are always a part of any major league club and the Red Sox will be no different this season.  At that point if Tazawa can continue to perform in Pawtucket then he should be the first reliever to get recalled.  Be sure to check out John Green’s take on where he thought Tazawa may have fit into the bullpen.

The other four players who were sent down were RHP Brandon Duckworth, LHP Jesse Carlson, catcher Max St. Pierre and outfielder Alex Hassan.  All four were reassigned to minor league camps.

Carlson was thought to be an outside contender for a starter’s role when he was signed in December, but lingering back issues have delayed his ability to prove he can contribute at the major league level.

The cuts leave the Red Sox roster at 46, including two players on the 60-day disable list.

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