WC1 Posted April 15, 2009 Report Posted April 15, 2009 Matsuzaka goes on DL This is the hidden content, please Sign In or Sign Up OAKLAND, Calif. -- Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka went on the 15-day disabled list Wednesday with a mild right shoulder strain after his second straight poor start to open the season. Matsuzaka Matsuzaka didn't make it to the second inning Tuesday night against the Oakland Athletics, giving up five runs and five hits on 43 pitches. After going 18-3 last year, Dice-K is 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA this season, yet another worry for manager Terry Francona during his club's unimpressive start. "Our biggest concern is to keep him healthy and productive," Francona said. "At the moment, it doesn't seem like we're there with him. ... It wasn't coming out very crisp. It looks like he needs to be built back up. We want him to be able to be Dice-K." The Japanese star won three games while earning the MVP award at the World Baseball Classic this spring, but his outstanding performance for the WBC champions might have cost the Red Sox. Francona thinks the extra work has caused trouble early in the regular season. After Tuesday's game lasted more than four hours and ended with Oakland's 6-5 victory, the Red Sox said Matsuzaka had "arm fatigue." Speaking through an interpreter, Matsuzaka claimed he felt fine. "Not in particular," Matsuzaka said through a translator, when asked if he had any physical problems. "I haven't had the chance to speak to Francona yet, but for me personally, I think I'm OK." Matsuzaka will be examined by Boston's team doctor on Friday when the club returns to Fenway Park. The Red Sox recalled Hunter Jones, a 25-year-old left-handed reliever with no major league experience, to replace him on the roster. (more at the link)
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