The Red Sox made a small trade with the Rays on the eve of Opening Day to bring in a pitching helper.
Boston acquired right-hander Naoyuki Uezawa in a trade with Tampa Bay on Wednesday, according to multiple reports.
The Rays are receiving cash in exchange for the veteran pitcher. The Tampa Bay Times reported.
The deal was not officially announced by either team, and it was not immediately clear whether Rumor would join Boston’s major league roster or head to the minors.
The 30-year-old Japanese pitcher had signed a minor league contract with the Rays in January, but had no intention of joining the major league team. Reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan.
Uezawa had spent the previous nine years as a professional baseball player with the Nippon Baseball Organization (NPB), and last season he pitched 170 innings for the Nippon-Ham Fighters, posting a record of 9 wins, 9 losses, and an ERA of 2.96.
He pitched 9 1/3 innings this spring, allowing 13 earned runs on 15 hits.
The move comes as the Red Sox look to add depth to their pitching staff before opening the 2024 season against the Mariners on Thursday in Seattle.
Boston recently signed Chase Anderson to a major league deal, giving him additional help in the rotation, but he could eventually come out of the bullpen as well.
The Sox will start the year with a starting rotation that includes Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Tanner Hawk, Garrett Whitlock and Cutter Crawford.
The team had Lucas Giolito on a two-year contract, but he is expected to miss the entire 2024 season after undergoing surgery on his right elbow.
The Red Sox finished the 2023 season in last place in the American League East with 78 wins and 84 losses, 23 games behind the first-place Orioles.
