‘Nikkan Sports’ reported on the 28th that Chiba Lotte Marines had recruited Sawamura. Sawamura returned to the NPB league three years after advancing to the major leagues after the 2020 season. 

The newspaper reported that Lotte jumped in and offered a multi-year contract amid fierce competition between the US and Japan after Sawamura obtained FA status. Although the size of the specific conditions was not disclosed, he added that it was a large contract.   스포츠토토

Sawamura went 6-2 with a 3.39 earned run average in 104 games over his two major league years. The newspaper reported that Lotte’s enthusiasm moved Sawamura’s heart, although major league clubs showed signs of recruiting him because of his strong fastball and forkball in the late 150km range. 

The reason Lotte recruited Sawamura was because of the lack of finishing. At the end of the 2022 season, Robert Osna moved to Softbank. A strong pitcher was needed to complete the winning equation with Naoya Masuda, who had 182 saves. 

Sawamura joined Yomiuri in 2010, won the Rookie of the Year title, and transformed into a relief pitcher to record the most saves. He transferred to Lotte in 2020 as a trade. He had a career NPB record of 48 wins, 75 saves, 64 holds, and a 2.77 ERA.