Naoyuki Uwasawa

Naoyuki Uwasawa (上沢 直之) is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters.

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. Uwasawa was designated for assignment by the Red Sox on July 9, 2024. He cleared waivers and was sent outright to Worcester on July 13.