Japanese RHP Tazawa to join Red Sox

Dec 1, 2008 - 3:14 PM BOSTON (Ticker) -- Japanese righthander Junichi Tazawa has agreed to a contract with the Boston Red Sox, according to a published report Monday.

The Boston Globe reported Tazawa agreed to a three-year deal worth about $3 million. Tazawa is expected to arrive in Boston this week to take a physical.

According to the newspaper, it is unclear if the Red Sox will use Tazawa as a starter or reliever.

Tazawa had previously rejected offers from the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners and Atlanta Braves, Kyodo News agency reported Friday.

The 22-year-old Tazawa has been a standout in Japan's corporate leagues.

Tazawa would be the third Japanese pitcher join the Red Sox. Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima already have enjoyed enormous success with the franchise, and both were integral parts of the club's World Series winning team in 2007.