^Red Sox sign closer Koji Uehara for 2 years< BOSTON (AP) _ The Boston Red Sox have signed Koji Uehara for two more years, committing $18 million to the reliever who closed out the 2013 World Series but struggled along with the team this season. 2年1800镁 One year to the day after Uehara struck out Matt Carpenter to seal Boston's third title in 10 years, the team gave him a deal that will pay him $9 million in each of the next two years, when he will be 40 and 41 years old. General manager Ben Cherington said he thought Uehara had less wear and tear on his arm than other pitchers his age. 明後年上原40岁、41岁，掐灵顿认为他手臂状况比其他同龄投手好 ``You're really looking at a guy who has been one of the elite relievers in baseball,'' Cherington said in a conference call with reporters on Thursday night. ``We feel really good about the ninth inning when he's pitching out there with a lead. It was a priority for us to retain him.'' Uehara joined the Red Sox in 2013 and inherited the closer's role midway through the season, helping to stabilize the bullpen that was a key contributor to the title. He finished the regular season with a 1.09 ERA and 21 saves in 24 chances and then recorded seven saves and a 0.66 ERA in the postseason, when he was named the MVP of the AL Championship Series. Uehara converted his first 15 save opportunities this season to run his streak to 31 in a row _ the second-longest in franchise history _ and made the All-Star team for the first time. In a span of 21 innings from May 3 to June 16, he did not allow a run. But after making the All-Star game for the first time, Uehara stumbled in mid-August and allowed 10 runs in his next six outings while blowing three straight save opportunities. He finished the season with three scoreless outings and a 6-5 record with 26 saves and a 2.52 ERA. ``We felt really comfortable with where he was and where he will be going,'' Cherington said. ``We were able to look at the whole body of work. He's been an elite performer for two full seasons.'' Before coming to Boston, Uehara spend 10 seasons with Yomiuri of Japan's Central League, leading the Giants to two Japan Series championships. He also pitched for Japan in two Olympics and led the country to the gold medal at the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006. In six major-league seasons with the Orioles, Rangers and Red Sox, he has a 15-15 record with 61 saves and a 2.44 ERA. With 46 walks and 412 strikeouts in 351 1-3 innings, he has the best career strikeout-to-walk ratio and of any pitcher in baseball history with at least 100 innings. Also Thursday, the Red Sox said that outfielder Rusney Castillo will be held out for the remainder of the Arizona Fall League schedule after straining the muscle between his thumb and fingers. ``It's an injury that will respond well to rest,'' Cherington said. ``It's not a concern moving forward, but we do want to let it calm down.'' On the day that catcher David Ross and right-hander Burke Badenhop elected free agency, Cherington said the team was still hopeful it could sign lefty Jon Lester. ``He's a free agent and obviously we know him well,'' Cherington said. ``We hope we get a chance to talk to him.'' 另外希腊走路神宣布退休 Kevin Youkilis Announces Retirement After 10-Year MLB Career *from Bleacher Report Former Major League Baseball All-Star Kevin Youkilis has officially retired after 10 seasons that included two World Series titles with the Boston Red Sox in 2004 and 2007. According to Pro Star Management, which has represented Youkilis, the three-time All-Star decided to end his career: Pro Star Management @prostarmgmt 15-yr client, Kevin Youkilis, after deep thought about family and health, is calling it a career. Been a great one! Love ya, Youk. #YOOOUUUK One of baseball's best hitters in his prime, Youkilis' career fell off a cliff in a hurry due to injuries. He hit .258/.373/.459 over 120 games in 2011, but slumped to .235/.336/.409 the next year between the Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. From 2006 to 2009, Youkilis was masterful with a bat in his hands. He hit .296/.393/.498 with 85 home runs and had the sixth-highest FanGraphs wins above replacement total during that span. It's no surprise that Youkilis would end up finishing third in the AL MVP voting that season, behind Boston teammate Dustin Pedroia and Minnesota's Justin Morneau. He also finished sixth on the ballot in 2009. After signing with the Yankees in the winter of 2012, Youkilis was looking to have a bounce-back season. Instead, after playing just 28 games, he had back surgery that ended his season. Last offseason, he signed a contract to play in Japan hoping to rebuild his value for a potential MLB comeback. Unfortunately, as has been the case for the previous four years, a bout of Plantar fasciitis ended his season in May. He told Jen McCaffrey of MassLive.com that he liked the experience of playing in Japan: "It was more of just trying to do something unique. It was nice for my family, it was a cool experience. My daughter went to an international school and learned some Japanese. Just doing something so now I can say I tried it and unfortunately my foot just didn’t hold up." While 35 years old is still young enough for some athletes to play, Youkilis' long injury history made it impossible to keep trying. He also cited family reasons for not wanting to play anymore. Moving one's family to another country is a hard thing to do. On the field, there were few hitters who could put together a better at-bat than Youkilis when he was at full strength. He developed later than most top players, not arriving in the big leagues until the age of 25, but was a fixture in the middle of Boston's lineup for the 2007 title team. It's just too bad injuries had to ruin Youkilis' career before he seemed ready to go. He was a special and unique talent who could beat pitchers with his natural hitting ability, power or working a deep count. -- Don't blame us if we ever doubt you You know we couldn't live without you Red Sox You are the only only only --

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