Koji Uehara #19

Koji signed a one-year deal with the Cubs in December of 2016 following four seasons with the Boston Red Sox, including a World Series title in 2013 ... has pitched professionally since 1999, amassing over 600 appearances between Yomiuri in the NPB Central League from 1999-2008 and eight seasons in the majors with Baltimore (2009- 11), Texas (2011-12) and Boston (2013-16) ... In eight major league seasons, has gone 19-22 with 67 holds, 93 saves and a 2.53 ERA (123 ER/437.2 IP) in 387 outings, all but 12 in relief ... Has struck out 522 batters and walked only 66 in 437.2 innings, an average of 10.7 strikeouts and 1.4 walks per 9.0 innings ... Owns a 0.86 WHIP in his big league career, the lowest mark in major league history among pitchers with at least 400.0 innings, while his 7.91 strikeout to walk ratio is best in major league history (min. 400.0 IP) ... Named a 2014 A.L. All-Star, his first selection in MLB. © Made an A.L.-record 44 perfect appearances in 2013 ... had 65 scoreless appearances in 2013, tying for the MLB lead (also Atlanta's Luis Avilan and the Dodgers Paco Rodriguez) ... Established a Red Sox record by retiring 37 consecutive batters from August 17-September 13, 2013 ... was the second-longest streak for a single season by a reliever in MLB history (Bobby Jenks, 41 in 2007 for White Sox) ... Converted 31-consecutive regular season save chances from July 9, 2013-June 16, 2014, the second-longest save streak in Red Sox history (Tom Gordon, 54, April 19, 1998-May 31, 1999) ... Is 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA (6 ER/18.0 IP) and seven saves in 19 career MLB post-season games ... made five scoreless outings in the 2013 World Series against the Cardinals (4.2 IP) ... Named the MVP of the 2013 ALCS vs. Detroit, recording three saves and five scoreless outings (6.0 IP) ... Walked fewer than 10 batters in six-straight seasons from 2010-15 ... Went 112-62 with 33 saves, a 3.01 ERA (518 ER/1,549.0 IP) and 1,376 strikeouts with the Yomiuri Giants from 1999-2008 ... had a career 1.01 WHIP, averaged 8.0 strikeouts per 9.0 innings and had a 6.7 strikeout to walk ratio in Japan ... helped the Giants to the Japan Series Championship in 2000 and 2002. w Led the NPB in wins in 1999 (20) and 2002 (17), in ERA in 1999 (2.09) and 2004 (2.60) and in strikeouts in 1999 (179) and 2003 (194) ... An eight-time NPB All-Star, was selected in each of his first seven seasons from 1999-2005 as well as in 2007 ... Won the Sawamura Award as NPB's top pitcher, earned the Golden Glove Award, and was named to the Top Nine Team as NPB's best all-around starting pitcher in both 1999 and 2002 ... Named the Central League Rookie of the Year in 1999 ... won the Central League Triple Crown that year, going 20-4 with a 2.09 ERA (46 ER/197.2 IP) and 179 strikeouts ... Selected by the Yomiuri Giants in the first round of the 1998 draft after starring at Osaka University of Health and Sports Sciences ... graduated in 1998 ... Participated in both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games for Team Japan ... Helped Japan to the championship at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006 (2-0, 1.95 ERA in three starts) ... Was 2-0 with a 2.13 ERA in 25.1 innings in the 1998 World Cup, leading the tournament in strikeouts (33) and wins ... Went 1-0 and did not allow an earned run in 11.2 innings for the Gold-Medal winning Japanese team in the 1997 Intercontinental Cup ... named to the All-Tournament Team ... Became a pitcher in college after playing outfield at Osaka's Tokaidai Gyosei High School.

2016

Koji, in his final season with the Red Sox, was 2-3 with a 3.45 ERA (18 ER/47.0 IP), seven saves and 18 holds in 50 outings ... averaged 12.06 strikeouts per 9.0 innings, the second-highest single-season rate of his career (12.23 in 2013) ... Ranked seventh among A.L. relievers in strikeout to walk ratio (63 SO/11 BB), ninth in strikeouts per 9.0 innings and 10th in WHIP (0.96) ... Did not allow a run in 41 of 50 games pitched ... did not allow a baserunner in 19 outings ... Allowed just one hit in 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position (.077 average) ... Surrendered eight homers, all over a 19-game span (17.1 IP) between May 17-July 8 ... Converted seven saves in nine chances ... recorded four saves in four chances between July 8-16 while Craig Kimbrel was on the D.L. ... Became the 20th pitcher in Red Sox history to reach 200 relief appearances with the club, May 27 at Toronto ... Missed 45 games on the disabled list with a right pectoral strain, July 20-September 5 ... suffered the injury, July 19 vs. San Francisco ... Did not allow a run in his 11 outings following his D.L. stint (11.0 IP) ... Ended the season with a 14.1-scoreless innings streak that spanned 15 games beginning July 9 ... Made scoreless appearances in Games One and Three of the ALDS vs. Cleveland (2.0 IP).

2015

Had his 3rd season with BOS limited to 43 games due to a right wrist non-displaced distal radius fracture suffered on 8/7 at DET. Named Red Sox Fireman of the Year by the Boston Baseball Writers. Allowed no runs in 36 of his 43 appearances (84%). Despite missing the team's final 52 games, finished in the top 13 among AL relievers in saves (11th, 25), WHIP (0.92), SO/BB (12th, 5.22), and SO/9.0 IP (13th, 10.5). Among AL relievers with 160 batters faced, ranked 2nd in opponent OBP (.233), 6th in opponent AVG (.188), and T-9th in opponent OPS (.562). Converted 25 of his 27 save opportunities...His 92.6% conversion rate was 3rd best in the AL (8th in MLB). Began the season on the DL with a left hamstring strain (placed on DL on 4/5, retro to 3/27)...Made 1 appearance with Single-A Greenville on 4/11 before being activated on 4/13. Struck out 2 in a perfect 9th inning and earned the save in his season debut on 4/14 vs. WSH. Did not issue a walk over his first 8 games (7.1 IP)...Issued just 9 BB overall on the season. Earned a decision in each of his first 9 games of the season (2-1, 6 SV) and in 13 of his first 14 appearances (2-1, 10 SV). Ended the season converting each of his final 15 save chances (beginning 6/2), the longest active streak at season's end...Streak of 15 consecutive saves converted is 1 shy of his career best done in 2013 (16 SV from 7/9-9/22) and the 3rd such streak of his career (also had a 15-SV streak in 2014, 4/3-6/16). From his season debut on 4/14 through the All-Star break, recorded saves in 22 of the club's 37 wins (59%)...Saved 8 of the Sox' 14 wins in June. Earned the 100th save of his career between NPB in Japan (33) and MLB on 5/10 at TOR (67th MLB SV). Ended the season with just 1 run allowed in 17.1 IP (0.52 ERA) over a span of 17 games (beginning 6/24)...The only run was a solo walk-off HR to Mike Trout on 7/17 at LAA...Held opponents to a .117 AVG (7-for-60) in that span. Did not allow a batter to reach base via hit, BB, or HBP over a span of 6 straight games from 6/28-7/8 (1 batter reached on error on 7/5 vs. HOU). Suffered a right wrist non-displaced distal radius fracture on 8/7 at DET...Entered a 7-2 game in the bottom of the 9th with 1 out and the bases loaded...Fanned Jose Iglesias for the 2nd out and fielded Ian Kinsler's line drive off his wrist for the final out and save. Was placed on the DL on 8/11 (retro to 8/8)...Transferred to the 60-day DL on 9/11. Was 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA (5 ER/24.0 IP) and was a perfect 12-for-12 in save chances at Fenway Park (24 G)...Was 0-3, 2.76 ERA (5 ER/16.1 IP) in 19 road games. His only 2 wins came in a pair of walk-off victories for the Sox on 4/17 vs. BAL and 4/27 vs. TOR.

2014

Named to the American League All-Star team in his 2nd season with BOS, his 1st ML All-Star selection...Among all AL relievers finished 2nd in both SO/BB (10.0; 80 SO/8 BB) and BB/9.0 IP (1.12; 64.1 IP)...Ranked T-6th among AL relievers in wins (6), 7th in SV (26), 8th in SV% (83.9), and 11th in SO...No runs allowed in 53 of his 64 appearances (83%)...Began the season allowing only 2 ER over his first 31 appearances (31.2 IP, 0.57 ERA)...Was a perfect 15-for-15 in save opportunities in that span (streak was T-8th longest in the AL on the year)...Posted a team season-best 21.0-inning scoreless streak from 5/3-6/16...Held opponents to a .108 AVG (7-for-65) in that span with 3 BB and 25 SO...Converted each of his first 15 save chances of the season, 4/3-6/16...Those 15 saves ran his streak of consecutive saves converted to 31 dating back to 7/9/13...Including the 2013 postseason, he converted 38 saves in a row...His streak of 31 straight saves is the 2nd longest in Red Sox history behind Tom Gordon's AL-record of 54 in a row from 4/19/98-5/31/99...Save streak ended on 6/22 at OAK after allowing 2 solo HR in the 9th inning...Had not allowed multiple HR's in a game since 9/4/10 for BAL vs. TB...Blown save at OAK marked 1st time he allowed multiple runs in any game - save opportunity or not, regular or postseason - since being named Red Sox closer on 6/21/13...Overall, went 94 outings (regular and postseason) spanning over 1 full year from 6/10/13-6/21/14 allowing 1 run or none...Posted a sub-2.00 ERA against the AL East (1.82, 5 ER/24.2 IP) and AL Central (1.80, 3 ER/15.0 IP)...Pitched to a 5.52 ERA (9 ER/14.2 IP) against the AL West...Was 5-2 with 18 SV and a 1.65 ERA (8 ER/43.2 IP) in 42 games prior to the All-Star break compared to 1-3 with 8 SV and a 4.35 ERA (10 ER/20.2 IP) in 22 games after. 11 of his total 18 runs allowed came via HR (9 solos and 1 two-run HR)...The first 5 runs he allowed on the season were all solo homers...Struck out the only batter he faced (CIN's Devin Mesoraco) in the 6th inning of the All-Star Game on 7/15 at MIN...Hit a batter with a pitch on 8/16 vs. HOU (Jake Marisnick)...Marked only the 2nd HBP of his MLB career in 350.1 IP (1,340 batters faced)...Had not hit a batter in his previous 96 games (100.2 IP; 6/9/13 vs. LAA, Howie Kendrick)...After allowing 10 ER (4 HR) in 4.2 IP over a 6-game span, 8/16-9/4, ended the season with 3 scoreless appearances (3.0 IP, 0 BB, 5 SO, .100 AVG, 1-for-10)...Threw a scoreless 8th inning on 9/12 at KC for his only hold of the season and 1st since 6/20/13 at DET.

2013

In 1st season with the Red Sox set career bests in wins (4), games (73), saves (21), innings (74.1), SO (101), ERA (1.09), opp. AVG (.130), and WHIP (0.57). Placed the highest among AL relievers in Cy Young Award voting (7th place). Led all ML relievers in ERA, WHIP, SO/BB (11.2) ratio...Became the 1st major leaguer ever to record at least 100 strikeouts in a season with fewer than 10 walks allowed. Threw 74% of his pitches for strikes (775 strikes/1,049 pitches), the top rate by any ML pitcher in a season of at least 10.0 innings since at least 2000 (as far back as data is available). His 44 perfect outings set an AL record and finished 1 shy of SD's Luke Gregerson's MLB record of 45 in 2010. Tied for the MLB lead and established a club record with 65 scoreless appearances. His 0.57 WHIP (33 hits, 9 walks) was the best single-season mark in MLB history for a pitcher with at least 40.0 innings. His 1.09 ERA was the 2nd best in Red Sox history among pitchers with at least 70.0 innings, trailing only Dutch Leonard's 0.96 mark in 1914. Led all AL relievers in BB/9.0 ratio (1.1), and opponent AVG (.130). Recorded 1st save of the season on 5/17 at MIN (10 innings) but was officially inserted to the closer's role at the end of June...From the date of his 1st opportunity on 6/26, went 4-1, 20 SV, 22 SVO, 0.41 ERA (2 ER/44.1 IP), 2 BB, 59 SO, .097 opp. AVG (14-for-145), and a 0.36 WHIP in 41 games. Of his 21 saves, 19 were perfect appearances. Had 4 multi-inning saves: 8/24 at LAD (1.1 IP), 8/30 vs. CWS (1.1 IP), 9/10 at TB (1.1 IP), and 9/20 vs. TOR (1.2 IP)...His save on 9/20 clinched the AL East division title for BOS at Fenway Park. Had career-best 30.1-inning scoreless streak, longest for any MLB pitcher on the season, from 7/9-9/13...Held opponents to a .063 AVG (6-for-95) with 1 BB and 41 SO...Was 14-for-14 in save opportunities in that span. His 30.1-inning scoreless streak was the 2nd-longest single-season streak by a Red Sox in the last 40 years (Pedro Martinez - 35.0 in 2002), and was the longest single-season streak for a BOS reliever since 1963 (Dick Radatz - 33.0). Took loss on same night that his scoreless streak ended, 9/17 vs. BAL...Was his 1st loss since 8/20/11 at CWS. Set a club record by retiring 37 consecutive batters from 8/17-9/13, passing Ellis Kinder (32 consecutive batters retired in 1952)...Struck out 17 batters in that span...The streak was the 2nd-longest for a single-season by a reliever in MLB history (Bobby Jenks - 41 in 2007). Did not allow a base runner in 8 consecutive save chances from 8/10-9/10, the longest such streak in Red Sox history. Retired 59 of his 73 1st batters faced (81%). Did not allow a HR over his final 37 games of the season (40.1 IP). In 36 games against AL East teams, went 3-1, 0.50 ERA (2 ER/36.1 IP), 3 BB, 49 SO.

2012

Posted a career-low 1.75 ERA (7 ER/36.0 IP) in 37 relief appearances for Texas, the 5thlowest figure among AL pitchers with at least 30.0 innings on the year. Posted the 3rd-highest strikeout-to-walk ratio (14.33) and the 4th-lowest WHIP (0.64) in modern major league history (since 1900)...Marked the lowest WHIP in Rangers history (min. 30.0 IP), and the 2nd-best by a Major Leaguer since Dennis Eckersley had a 0.61 WHIP in 1990, trailing only SD's Mike Adams (0.59 in 2009). Recorded 43 strikeouts compared to 3 walks over 36.0 innings...His 14.3 strikeout-to-walk ratio trailed only Eckersley (18.33 in 1989, 18.25 in 1990) among all-time single-season leaders. Held right-handed batters to a .125 AVG (7-for-56), 4th lowest among major leaguers with at least 50 batters faced...Also ranked among AL hurlers against righthanders in opponent OPS (T-2nd, .369) and opponent SLG (6th, .214). On the 15-day DL from 6/10-8/25 with a right latissimus strain...At the time he went on the DL, ranked among AL relief leaders in strikeout-to-walk ratio (2nd, 11.0), WHIP (3rd, 0.70), and opponent AVG (T-8th, .171)...While returning from the initial injury in mid-July, re-aggravated the original injury, extending his time on the DL. Made a total of 3 appearances with Triple-A Round Rock on rehab assignments, compiling 3.0 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. Recorded more than 3 outs 6 times...Hurled a season-high 2.0 frames on 5/26 vs. TOR, with scoreless 10th and 11th innings in a 13-inning walk-off win. Had a 1.04 ERA (2 ER/17.1 IP) in his 1st 16 outings through 5/26...Gave up 3 runs in 4.0 innings over his next 4 games from 5/30-6/9 before landing on the DL. After returning from the DL, compiled a 1.23 ERA (2 ER/14.2 IP) in his final 17 games. Did not allow a run over his last 14 outings beginning 9/1 (11.2 IP), with 19 K's and just 1 walk and 2 hits allowed, both singles. Retired 25 consecutive batters faced from 9/12-10/1, the longest such streak by a TEX pitcher since Jeff Zimmerman set down 25 in a row in 1999...Brandon Moss ended the streak with a 2-out single on 10/1 at OAK, the 1st batter to reach off Uehara since Casey Kotchman singled in the 8th inning on 9/11 vs. CLE. Went a club-record 9 consecutive appearances without allowing a base runner from 9/12-30, spanning 7.2 innings with 15 strikeouts. Lone save came 9/16 vs. SEA, filling in when bullpen was depleted. POSTSEASON: Pitched the 8th inning, striking out all 3 batters faced, in the AL Wild Card game vs. BAL.

2011

Was 2-3 with a 2.35 ERA (17 ER/65.0 IP) in 65 relief appearances for the Orioles and Rangers...had career highs for games and strikeouts (85) while issuing just 9 walks, all to LHB...ranked among American League relief leaders (0.93 BF/game) in opponents OBP (1st, 194), opponents average (2nd, .164), strikeouts (4th, 85), and holds (10th, 22)...his 9.44 strikeout-to-walk ratio was best in the A.L. and 2nd-best in the majors behind San Francisco's Sergio Romo (14.00 SO/BB)...had the majors' best WHIP (0.72) among pitchers with 50.0+ innings...held left-handed batters to a .130 (15-115) batting average...posted a 1.99 ERA (7 ER/31.2 IP) in 33 road games...issued 11 homers, tied for 2nd-most among A.L. relief pitchers.

2010

Set a franchise record by not walking a batter in 32 consecutive appearances (34.0 innings) from July 19 through the end of the season (Chad Bradford held the record with 24 consecutive walk-free appearances (17.1 IP) from April 28-June 15, 2007) ... Ended the season with a streak of 44 strikeouts since his last walk allowed, the longest streak of strikeouts between walks in the AL since Pedro Martinez fanned 49 batters in between walks in 2000 (it is tied for the sixth-longest streak in the majors since 1920) ... Among relievers with 40.0 innings pitched, Uehara recorded the second-best strikeouts per nine innings rate in the AL (11.25) behind Chicago's Matt Thornton (12.02) ... Led AL relievers (minimum 40.0 IP) in strikeout-to-walk ratio (11.00) ... His 1.02 walks per nine innings led AL relievers (minimum 40.0 IP) ... His 42 base runners allowed were the third fewest among relievers with 40.0 IP (behind Sergio Mitre's 40 and Joaquin Benoit's 41) ... Became the 7th Japanese-born pitcher to record a double digit save season, joining Kaz Sasaki (4), Takashi Saito (3), Akinori Otsuka, Shingo Takatsu, Shigetoshi Hasegawa and Hideki Irabu...Sasaki is the all-time leader among Japanese born pitchers (129) ... His 13 career saves are the seventh-most in MLB history for a Japanese born pitcher ... Was 17th in the AL with 13 saves ... Recorded his first major league save on August 21 vs. Texas ... Blew two save opportunities, both against New York (September 8 at New York and September 17 in Baltimore) ... Lowered his career ERA to 3.58, good for the ninth-lowest among Japanese born pitchers in MLB history ... Did not allow any of the 13 runners he inherited to score ... He retired the first batter faced in 37 of his 43 games ... After not allowing a HR in 28 games (30.0IP) prior to September, he allowed five homers in 15 September games (14.0IP) ... Alex Rodriguez's September 17 homer was the first by a right-handed batter against Uehara since Florida's Dan Uggla on June 29, 2009 ... Picked up his first win in relief in the major leagues July 20 vs. Tampa Bay...It was his first win for the Birds since his first two starts as an Oriole (April 8 and 13, 2009)...He appeared in 22 games between wins

2009

Became the first Japanese born player to play for the Orioles and the 15th Japanese born pitcher to start a game in the Major Leagues since Hideo Nomo joined the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1995...Won his major league debut April 8 vs. NYY (5.0IP, 5H, ER, BB)...Became the 3rd Japanese born pitcher to win his first two ML games, joining Kaz Ishii (6 in 2002) and Hideki Irabu (1997)...Became the 30th Japanese born pitcher to appear in the major leagues...On April 13 @TEX, became the 5th Orioles pitcher ever to give up as many as 7 earned runs and still win, joining Mike Mussina (May 19, 1996 vs. SEA and July 1, 1994 vs. CAL), Rick Sutcliffe (September 4, 1992 @CAL), Dennis Martinez (July 3, 1977 @BOS) and Billy O'Dell (June 26, 1959 @DET)...Left 4th start (April 24 vs. TEX) with a 4-2 lead before Michael Young homered off George Sherrill in 9th to give the Rangers the lead...Left 5th start (May 23 vs. LAA) after his 102nd pitch of the game was lined off his chest by Gary Matthews Jr....Made 5 consecutive Quality Starts, April 19-May 10, but was 0-3 in those games despite a 3.03 ERA (32.2IP, 11ER)...Threw just 17 balls out of 76 pitches in his final start of the year June 23 @FLA...Allowed just one walk (it was intentional) over 32.1 innings, April 19-May 17...Did not allow a home run over four starts, May 17-June 17...In the 2 games he won, struck out a total of 3 batters...In his 4 losses, he fanned a total of 21 batters...In his 6 no-decisions, he struck out 24 batters...Was 0-3 with a 3.77 ERA (31.0IP, 13ER) in day games and was 2-1 with a 4.29 ERA (35.2IP, 17ER) in night games...Was placed on the disabled list after straining his hamstring May 23 @WAS and was activated to face SEA on June 11...Returned to the disabled list June 24 with right elbow tendinitis and did not return to the Orioles...Missed 2 weeks during spring training with a strained hamstring...Faced the Dominican Republic World Baseball Classic team on March 4 and did not allow a run in 3.0 innings...Worked 6.0 innings vs. WAS in his final exhibition game at Norfolk on April 3

2008

Made 14 starts (two complete games) and 12 appearances out of the bullpen for Yomiuri, going 6-5 with one save...Earned a save and did not allow an earned run in 2.0 innings for Japan in the Olympics.

2007

Japanese League All-Star....Posted a career-high 32 saves and a 4-3 record in 55 relief appearances...Set career-highs with a 16.50 K/BB ratio and 9.58 strikeouts per 9.0 innings.

2006

Went 2-0 for Gold medal winning Japan in the World Baseball Classic and led all pitchers in innings pitched (17.0) and strikeouts (16) and did not walk a batter during the competition.

2005

Japanese League All-Star.

2004

Japanese League All-Star....Led the Central League in ERA...Went 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 13.0 innings for the Bronze medal winning Japanese team in the Olympics.

2003

Japanese League All-Star and Gold Glove winner...Led the Central League in strikeouts, innings pitched and complete games...Set a career-high with 194 strikeouts.

2002

Won the Sawamura Award (given to the NPB's top pitcher) and the Top Nine Award (given to the NPB's best all-around starting pitcher), each for the second time...Japanese League All-Star...Led the Central League in wins and complete games...Made 2 starts against ML All-Stars after the season, going 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 13 strikeouts...Struck out Barry Bonds 3 times in the first game of the series.

2001

Japanese League All-Star.

2000

Japanese League All-Star.

1999

Won the Sawamura Award (given to the NPB's top pitcher) and Top Nine Award (given to the NPB's best all-around starting pitcher)...Japanese League All-Star...Won the Triple Crown in the Central League...Named Rookie of the Year...Won a Gold Glove...Led the Central League in complete games...Set career-highs with 12 complete games and 20 wins.