Tazawa to have Tommy John surgery

Right-hander Junichi Tazawa will undergo Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery on Tuesday, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston. It is expected that he will miss all of the 2010 season.

Signed out of the Japanese industrial league in 2008, Tazawa finished last season with an ERA of 7.46 in 6 appearances, 4 starts, for Boston. In 20 starts split between Portland and Pawtucket, he combined for an ERA of 2.54 over 110 innings with 94 strikeouts. Tazawa, 23, was expected to be one of the first pitchers called up to the Red Sox when an extra pitcher was needed this season.

Tazawa reportedly first felt discomfort in his elbow near the end of last season and again throughout this spring. The surgery will be performed by orthopedist Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Ala.

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