Hirokazu Sawamura

Red Sox reliever Hirokazu Sawamura offered some much-needed help out of the bullpen against the Yankees on Sunday evening. He threw two perfect innings, struck out two batters, and even earned the win. Boston ultimately defeated New York by a score of 11-6.

Fantasy Impact

Sawamura struggled to the point of demotion earlier this season, but he's now back in the majors and looking like one of the best options in Boston's bullpen. Since his return, he has allowed just four earned runs over 17.1 innings of work while striking out 14 batters and walking six.

Hirokazu Sawamura threw a 23-pitch bullpen on Wednesday.

Fantasy Impact

It took Sawamura a bit to get through the intake process as he came over from Japan, so this was his first official day in camp. Despite having some closer experience back in Japan, Red Sox manager Alex Cora isn't considering him as an option for the ninth inning right now.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora says Hirokazu Sawamura isn't a candidate to close this season.

Fantasy Impact

That means the "battle" for Boston's closer job is likely between Matt Barnes and Adam Ottavino, with Barnes being the frontrunner. Hopefully Cora makes an official announcement at some point this spring.