Reports: Red Sox set to sign Japanese RHP Tazawa

BOSTON (AP) -The Boston Red Sox and Japanese pitcher Junichi Tazawa have agreed to a major league contract, according to two newspaper reports.

The 22-year-old right-hander, who has never played professional baseball, agreed to a deal worth about $3 million, the Boston Globe reported Monday. The Boston Herald reported Tazawa likely would sign a three-year contract by Tuesday.

Boston general manager Theo Epstein and owner Tom Werner did not return e-mails seeking comment.

The Red Sox, who already have Japanese pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and Hideki Okajima, would put Tazawa on the 40-man roster but he likely would begin next season in the minors.