Quick Facts
Aquarius
Biography
Naoyuki Uwasawa (上沢 直之, Uwasawa Naoyuki, born February 6, 1994) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters from 2014 to 2023. He made his MLB debut in 2024.
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. On October 10, 2018, he was selected Japan national baseball team at the 2018 MLB Japan All-Star Series.
After the 2023 season, the Fighters posted Uwasawa to Major League Baseball teams.
Boston Red Sox
On January 11, 2024, Uwasawa signed a minor league contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. On March 27, after triggering an assignment clause in his contract, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for cash considerations. The next day, he was selected to the 40-man roster and optioned to extended spring training. On April 28, Uwasawa was recalled from the Triple–A Worcester Red Sox and promoted to the majors for the first time. 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. Uwasawa was optioned to Triple-A on May 8.
