Red Sox Notebook: Sawamura still lacking control; Santana hospitalized

Japanese reliever Hirokazu Sawamura is having a tough time of it through two spring training appearances for the Red Sox.

On Monday, for the second time in as many outings, Sawamura failed to get through a full inning. The big problem to date has been control -- Sawamura has faced 12 hitters in two appearances and walked six of them.

In the Red Sox' 3-2 loss to Tampa Bay Monday afternoon, Sawamura loaded the bases and then, on a close pitch, walked in a run. He also threw a wild pitch.

Still, the Sox aren't about to panic yet.

"Obviously, it's not what we want,'' acknowledged Alex Cora. "But at the same time, it's his second outing. There's an adjustment period and we know it's not as easy as people think. It's only his second outing, so I'm not going to make a big deal about it. The action on his pitches is good. The split is good. It's different because of who he is, but (whether) he got three outs in a row or this happened, it's just progression. He's going to be OK when he's settled in. I'm comfortable with him.''

Sawamura finds himself in another culture, in a new baseball environment and adjusting to a new baseball and strike zone, so a learning curve was anticipated.

"We knew it,'' said Cora. "I lived it in 2007 with Daisuke (Matsuzaka) and (Hideki Okajima) and they (eventually) did a good job for us. It's not that easy. The clubhouse, housing, food....all that stuff comes into play. We're doing everything possible to make him feel comfortable and he is. You can tell that he's into it, he's in a good spot. It's just a matter of him keep working hard and start getting his command.''



Despite the walks, Sawamura said he could see some improvement in his command in the second appearance, but he fully realizes that changes have to be made to his execution and approach.

"These are tiny details, tiny adjustments that I need to make,'' he said. "I cannot just stick to the way I was throwing in Japan. I have to make changes and I have to work on something different here.''

Sawamura has already noticed that, facing stronger hitters in the U.S. than he typically saw in Japan, he can't leave as many pitches in the strike zone. He's yet to find the proper balance between staying out of the middle of the plate and still being able to throw strikes.

"These are factors that I have to get used to,'' he said. "I got some takeaways from today. I learned some lessons. These lessons I learned will definitely help me in the next outing.''

Sawamura believes that he'll be able to transition eventually, and it's all a matter of getting more repetitions.

"I think I have to just pitch more, whether it's a sim game or an actual game,'' he said. "I just have to go out there and try to work on what I need to work on. I'm at the bottom right now, so all I have to do is just go out there and execute.''

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Utility man Danny Santana, signed to a minor league deal and given a major league invite to camp, is currently hospitalized in Fort Myers with a right foot infection, receiving antibiotics.

"It got bad two days ago,'' said Cora. "They're going to drain it. It's going to take a while now for him to get going. He's been in the hospital the last two days. Let's hope that this is controllable and he's back with us, hopefully sooner rather than later.''

Santana is another versatile player whom the Sox signed in the offseason. With Franchy Cordero unlikely to be ready for the start of the year, it was possible that there was a roster opening for Santana out of camp, but that's completely shot now.

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Michael Chavis is a longshot to break with the team, but that's not stopping him from having a monster spring at the plate.

Chavis hit his fourth homer since Grapefruit League play began -- a second-inning solo shot. That tied him with Bobby Dalbec for the team lead in homers.

"He's a good hitter,'' said Cora. "His problem (has been) chasing pitches outside the strike zone, right, and he's done a good job not extending up (in the zone) and not extending down and away. He's putting himself in a good spot offensively, getting there early and recognizing pitches and we're happy with the progress.''

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Nick Pivetta posted another strong outing, allowing just one run over four innings. He walked one and fanned four. "He's in a good spot right now,'' said Cora. "He's throwing the ball well, commanding his pitches and he's healthy, which is the most important thing...Jeter Downs, who had to leave Sunday's game with a left side injury, did not suffer an oblique injury as initially feared. Cora said it's just a bruise and Downs could return to action in the next couple of days...Triston Casas, the team's top prospect, made his second straight appearance in a Grapefruit League game, getting the start at first base and going 0-for-3....Xander Bogaerts played shortstop in a simulated game. He'll DH Tuesday and could play shortstop in a real game Wednesday.....Franchy Cordero also took part in the sim game and will get additional at-bats in a B game with the Twins Wednesday.