Tazawa Throws Off Mound

Tazawa Throws Off Mound

If you're looking for a sleeper contributor to the 2011 Red Sox, it might just be Junichi Tazawa. Remember him? When the Red Sox stole him away from Texas and Seattle in December of 2008, it was because of their early scouting of the righty by Craig Shipley and the committment of the team to Japanese players. Tazawa showed flashes in his few appearances with the Red Sox, but underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow last April. He is still rehabbing but has thrown off the mound and is projected to help the Sox at some point this coming season. With any luck, Tazawa might be a key component in another post-season run.