Takashi Saito followed Jon Lester with an inning of relief, giving up one hit while striking out two. Interesting note: Pitching coach John Farrell said after the Red Sox’ 3-2 loss to Pittsburgh that Saito’s velocity had jumped up significantly from his bullpen sessions.

“Very positive, said Farrell of the reliever’s outings. “He pitched with quite a bit more intensity than he’s been showing in bullpens and BP, which is a natural progression. I think as he gets more innings under his belt his command will come along even further. He jumped up perhaps eight or nine mph compared what he had been throwing in batting practice, so it was very favorable today.”

Here is what Saito had to say:

(Saito on his elbow) “First off, I’m not experiencing any problems with the elbow. I don’t have any limitations on my pitches. I think today, ‘Tek actively wanted to call of my pitches and going forward, I think I’ll be using more of the fastball. I think the result of that today was lots of pitches. I think today ‘Tek actively wanted to call of my pitches and going forward I think I’ll be using more of the fastball. I think the result of that today was lots of pitches but I did have a good feel for the ball and I also hope that Tek had a good feel for working with me as well.”

(How much better did you feel today than that last game you pitched in the playoffs?) “The time passing has certainly helped and I also feel that I was able to reset myself emotionally going into the new season. As I already said, I didn’t feel any problems with my elbow today. I took time to take care of my body and it’s renewing myself. Compared to that point and time, I feel a lot different.”

(Getting to know Tazawa, what is like for him at his age and experience to be in Spring Training the first time?) “I look at Tazawa and I think about when I was 23 years old and when I was a rookie and I certainly wasn’t that calm and collected. He’s here in a camp surrounded by all these famous major league ballplayers. He’s keeping a very level head about him and putting in his work and working very hard. compared to me 18 years ago, I think he’s got it together really well.

“I think that his challenge to be here, just in and of itself, is an amazing thing. I think that he’s going to become the type of person that’s going to change what it means to be a Japanese baseball player. In a few years, maybe he won’t need an interpreter. Maybe he won’t need all the Japanese staff that surrounds him today. I think he’s going to change that label of being Japanese and I really think and hope that’s what he’s able to accomplish.”

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