Sawamura more comfortable, wants to improve command for bigger role

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Now that Red Sox righty Hirokazu Sawamura has adapted to life in the Major Leagues and in the United States, he decided to let his hair down -- literally.

“I’m planning on cutting it at some point if there’s any Japanese hair stylists [around],” Sawamura joked through his interpreter.

The hair isn’t the only thing that might grow for the 33-year-old from Japan in his second season with Boston.

His importance could also grow in manager Alex Cora’s bullpen. But that is going to depend on how much Sawamura can improve his control and command in and out of the strike zone.

Last season, Sawamura did a lot of good things, pitching in 55 games and notching a 3.06 ERA while notching 61 strikeouts in 53 innings.

However, 32 walks was a total too high for that amount of innings, and Sawamura knows it.

“I think the biggest thing is to be aggressive against hitters, be aggressive in the strike zone,” Sawamura said. “Just, as a reliever, you don’t go into ideal situations, you always have runners on.”

That is particularly true for Sawamura. For he became Cora’s go-to guy with inherited runners, and that doesn’t figure to change this season.

“It gets me fired up all the time whenever AC puts me into these tough situations and these runs I’m trying to protect could turn things around,” Sawamura said. “That’s really important. I always try to minimize the damage, and that’s what I’m thinking about.”

Why does Cora like Sawamura in those situations so much?

“I just feel those at-bats are tough, right? You want to do so much [as a hitter], and his stuff plays, that split and the fastball,” Cora said. “So he was able to get some swings and misses in certain situations, similar to Heath [Hembree] in ’18. We used to bring him [in] with traffic, get out of the inning and move forward.”

The one thing that will help Sawamura take his game to another level is if he can elevate his fastball. Other than the walks, that was his biggest issue in ’21.

“Understanding that his fastball plays, we always talk about using that fastball up in the zone,” said Cora. “To go through a whole offseason working on that and being able to get ahead with that pitch is very important. When he creates separation with that fastball and the split, it’s a good one. Stuff-wise, he’s really good. It’s the same thing, go out there and attack, attack, attack. Don’t try to set up hitters.”

Considering that Sawamura signed just before Spring Training last season and reported to camp late due to visa issues, it was impressive the way he assimilated to a new culture while also holding his own on the mound.

“Weight-room wise, he was where we wanted him to be -- strong. He got connected with [strength and conditioning coach] Kiyoshi [Momose], and that really helped,” said Cora. “He did a good job. Now he’s more comfortable. He understands about the routine, 162-plus, and how to go about it. I expect him to be better [in ‘22].”

The one area Sawamura doesn’t have much room for growth in is the art of being a good teammate.

He had a chance to demonstrate that when the Red Sox re-acquired Jackie Bradley Jr., who wore No. 19 in his first stint with Boston. Sawamura had that number last season in honor of his idol, former Boston closer Koji Uehara.

Sawamura, who is wearing 18 this season, didn’t even blink when the team approached him about it.

“I didn’t even think a second to make that decision,” Sawamura said. “I respect him as a person and as a human being and player. Him wearing that number is something that he’s used to. Creating an environment to where he has no stress is part of something I could do as a family member. Like last year, I came here, I was a stranger and everyone was welcoming and accepting me for who I am so I wanted to do that.”

“He gets it,” said Cora. “He understands. He knows about chemistry and culture, and we'll keep … pushing for him because he should be really, really good."