BOSTON (Kyodo) The Boston Red Sox said Saturday they have exercised their option on Japanese reliever Hideki Okajima for the 2009 season.
Okajima's two-year contract had a $1.75 million option for 2009, but the Red Sox would automatically pick it up if he made 115 appearances over his first two seasons. The 32-year-old left-hander has made 123 appearances.
Okajima played a significant role in the Red Sox's run to the 2007 World Series title by posting a 3-2 record with five saves and a 2.22 ERA in a team-high 66 regular-season games.
He is 3-2 with a save and a 2.88 ERA in 57 appearances this season.
"In a day and age when it's hard to find relievers, he's done a pretty good job," Boston manager Terry Francona was quoted as saying in an article on Major League Baseball's official Web site.