July 26, 2009 at 7:49 PM
Tazawa promoted to Pawtucket, McAnulty released
After dominating the Eastern League for the first four months of the season, Portland righthander Junichi Tazawa has been promoted to Triple-A Pawtucket, this according to Kevin Thomas of the Portland Press Herald. Tazawa, who signed a major league contract with the Red Sox during the off-season, was 9-5 with a 2.57 ERA in 18 starts for the Sea Dogs. The Japanese starter struck out 88 and walked 26 in 98 innings, holding opposing hitters to a .222 batting average. Tazawa had been especially good in July, going 2-1 with a 1.29 ERA in 4 starts, including 17 strikeouts and only 1 walk in 21 innings. The 23-year-old Tazawa, who was named an Eastern League All-Star but did not pitch in the game because he was also named to the World squad at the Futures Game, is currently the fifth-ranked prospect in the organization according to SoxProspects.com.In other news, the Red Sox also announced yesterday that Pawtucket outfielder Paul McAnulty was released to make room on the roster for the recently acquired Chris Duncan. McAnulty, who was hitting .233/.331/.402 with a team-leading 11 home runs and 48 RBI in 378 plate appearances, was signed as a minor league free agent following the 2008 season.