August 7, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Tazawa called up to Boston, Smoltz designated for assignment
After just 2 starts for Triple-A Pawtucket following his promotion from Double-A Portland, WEEI's Rob Bradford is reporting that 23-year-old Junichi Tazawa has been called up to Boston. To make room on the active roster for Tazawa, Boston.com is reporting that John Smoltz has been designated for assignment after putting up a 2-5 record and an 8.32 ERA in 8 starts for Boston. Tazawa, who was signed by the Red Sox as an international free agent following the 2008 season, had gone 0-2 with a 2.38 ERA in his 2 starts for Pawtucket, striking out 6 and walking only 1 in 11.1 innings while limiting opposing batters to a .184 average. In his 18 starts for Portland earlier this season, the Japanese righthander had gone 9-5 with a 2.57 ERA, racking up 88 strikeouts against only 26 walks in 98.0 Double-A innings to earn himself an Eastern League All-Star nod and selection to the Futures Game. For John Smoltz, this marks an abrupt end to his Red Sox career. A veteran of 21 major league seasons, Smoltz now owns a career record of 212-152 with a 3.32 ERA in 3435.0 innings. He has also amassed 3044 strikeouts and 154 saves.
In other news, the Red Sox have signed and activated veteran infielder Chris Woodward after claiming him off waivers from Seattle. The 33-year-old Woodward, who has played every position except for pitcher and catcher in his career, was hitting .239/.288/.254 with no home runs and 5 RBI in 67 at-bats for the Mariners this year. In his ten-year major league career between Toronto, New York (Mets), Atlanta, and Seattle, Woodward has compiled a .243/.298/.371 line with 33 home runs and 191 RBI in 1665 at-bats. He will be taking the roster spot of Billy Traber, who has been designated for assignment after throwing 3.2 innings in last night's loss to New York.