Naoyuki Uwasawa
| Naoyuki Uwasawa | |
|---|---|
Uwasawa with the Fighters | |
| Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks – No. 10 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: February 6, 1994 Matsudo, Japan | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| NPB: April 2, 2014, for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters | |
| MLB: May 2, 2024, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| NPB statistics (through 2025 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 82–68 |
| Earned run average | 3.14 |
| Strikeouts | 1,028 |
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) | |
| Win–loss record | 0–0 |
| Earned run average | 2.25 |
| Strikeouts | 3 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Teams | |
| |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Naoyuki Uwasawa (上沢 直之, Uwasawa Naoyuki; born February 6, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB).[1] He has previously played in NPB for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters and in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox.[2]
Career
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters
Uwasawa debuted for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters in 2014. He was selected to the 2018 NPB All-Star game.[3] On October 10, 2018, he was selected Japan national baseball team at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.[4]
After the 2023 season, the Fighters posted Uwasawa to Major League Baseball teams.[5]
Boston Red Sox
On January 11, 2024, Uwasawa signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.[6] On March 27, after triggering an assignment clause in his contract, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations.[7] The next day, he was selected to the 40-man roster and optioned to extended spring training.[8][9] On April 28, Uwasawa was recalled from the Triple-A Worcester Red Sox and promoted to the majors for the first time.[10] On May 2, Uwasawa made his MLB debut, pitching two innings in a game against the San Francisco Giants; he collected his first MLB strikeout, against Michael Conforto.[1] Uwasawa was optioned to Triple–A on May 8.[11] Uwasawa was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on July 9.[12] He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Worcester on July 13.[13] Uwasawa elected free agency on October 31.[14]
Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
On December 18, 2024, Uwasawa signed a four–year contract with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball.[15] He made 23 appearances for Fukuoka in 2025, logging a 12-6 record and 2.74 ERA with 115 strikeouts across 144+2⁄3 innings pitched. With the Hawks, Uwasawa won the 2025 Japan Series.[16]
References
- ^ a b Stiefel, Keagan (May 2, 2024). "Red Sox Newcomer Makes History In Big League Debut". NESN.com. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "Naoyuki Uwasawa Japanese Leagues Statistics & History".
- ^ "マイナビオールスターゲーム2018 出場者". NPB.jp 日本野球機構 (in Japanese). August 13, 2018.
- ^ "「2018日米野球」に出場する侍ジャパントップチーム選手全28名が決定". 野球日本代表 侍ジャパン オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). October 10, 2018. Retrieved October 14, 2018.
- ^ "MLB negotiation window opens for Japanese pitchers Imanaga, Uwasawa".
- ^ "MLB: Rays sign Japanese pitcher Naoyuki Uwasawa to minor league deal". The Mainichi. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ "Red Sox To Acquire Naoyuki Uwasawa From Rays". MLB Trade Rumors. March 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Red Sox Select Joely Rodriguez, Naoyuki Uwasawa". mlbtraderumors.com. March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
- ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff: Transactions". MLB.com. Boston Red Sox. March 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Red Sox Designate Joely Rodriguez For Assignment, Recall Naoyuki Uwasawa". mlbtraderumors.com. April 28, 2024. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
- ^ Ehler, Matthew (May 8, 2024). "Just days after being traded, Red Sox designate ex-Tiger infielder for assignment". mlive.com. Retrieved May 8, 2024 – via MSN.com.
- ^ McDonald, Darragh (July 13, 2024). "Red Sox Outright Naoyuki Uwasawa". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved November 28, 2025.
- ^ "Red Sox's Naoyuki Uwasawa: Outrighted to Worcester". cbssports.com. July 15, 2024.
- ^ "Transactions". MiLB.com. October 31, 2024. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ Adams, Steve (December 18, 2024). "Naoyuki Uwasawa Signs With NPB's SoftBank Hawks". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 28, 2025.
- ^ "NPB: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Win 2025 Japan Series". worldbaseball.com. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
External links
- Nippon Professional Baseball career statistics from JapaneseBaseball.com
- Career statistics from MLB · ESPN · Baseball Reference · Fangraphs · Baseball Reference (Minors) · Retrosheet · Baseball Almanac