Red Sox sign reliever Sawamura to 2-year deal

The Boston Red Sox bolstered their bullpen by signing Japanese reliever Hirokazu Sawamura to a two-year contract, the team announced Tuesday.

His deal is for two years and $3 million, a source told Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

The right-hander's contract also contains a dual club/player option for 2023. The option - which Rosenthal described as "complex" - will vest if he reaches every one of the performance bonuses and escalator clauses during the next two years. If exercised, he'll max out the contract at three years and $7.65 million, according to Rosenthal.

The 32-year-old Sawamura is a nine-year veteran of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, where he pitched for the Yomiuri Giants and Chiba Lotte Marines. He owns a 2.77 ERA and 1.18 WHIP with 790 strikeouts (8.2 Ks per nine innings) and 75 saves across 352 appearances.

Sawamura split his 2020 season between the Giants and Marines, who traded for him midseason. While he struggled with Yomiuri and was demoted to Japan's minor leagues, he excelled after the trade, posting a 1.71 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 12.4 K/9 in 22 appearances with Chiba Lotte, helping the club reach the Pacific League Climax Series.

The Red Sox have worked hard to improve their relief corps this winter, having previously added veterans Adam Ottavino and Matt Andriese.

To make room for Sawamura on the 40-man roster, Boston designated left-hander Jeffrey Springs for assignment.