It's an independent league team in Japan, not affiliated with Nippon Professional Baseball. Tazawa was released by the Reds in early April after previously joining the club on a non-guaranteed minor league contract. The 34-year-old former Red Sox setup man has probably already thrown his last pitch in Major League Baseball.

Tazawa was in Reds camp this spring on a non-guaranteed minor league contract after pitching to a 4.15 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 21 2/3 innings last season at the Triple-A level. The 33-year-old native of Japan posted a 2.62 ERA in 175 1/3 innings with the Red Sox between 2012-2014, but that feels like ages ago.

Tazawa agreed to a minor-league pact with the Reds on Aug. 11 and reported to the Reds' rookie-level Arizona League affiliate while he was on the mend from the unspecified injury. His appearances with Louisville indicate that he's healthy again, but Tazawa may have returned too late to have a realistic chance at earning a callup to the Reds in September.

Tazawa signed a minor-league deal with Cincinnati on Aug. 11 but hadn't made his organizational debut until this week while tending to the unspecified injury. With the minor-league season nearing its end, Tazawa probably won't have enough time to prove his health and make a serious run at earning a September callup.