"Just to have the exams done and to know for sure that everything's fine is really good," Matsuzaka said through a translator Saturday, before the Red Sox played the Orioles. "I believe I'll be ready."
Daisuke Matsuzaka
Starting Pitcher
Boston Red Sox
Profile
2008 Season StatsGMWLBBKERA118038552.53Matsuzaka was placed on the DL on Friday after an MRI exam in Boston revealed a mild strain of his right rotator cuff. The move was retroactive to Wednesday. Matsuzaka is 8-0 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 starts this season.
"Even though I might feel OK, the club has told me to take this time to rest up and get healed well. Although I appreciate the rest and protection I'm getting, I do feel bad that I'm the only one getting rest at this time," Matsuzaka said. "But dwelling on that isn't going to help me heal any faster. It's too bad that how hard I work out right now won't affect the outcome of the game."
Red Sox manager Terry Francona said Matsuzaka's progress with the strengthening program, which will be monitored by the team's athletic training staff, would dictate how soon he progresses to pitching.
"The throwing part will be back according to his strength, probably not the other way around," Francona said. "We want to make sure he's real strong and then when the strength is there, he can throw as much as he wants. ... We want to not only get that strength, but maintain it. That's what we feel gives him a chance to go out and pitch the rest of the year."
The Red Sox activated right-hander Clay Buchholz from the 15-day disabled list on Saturday and optioned him to Triple-A Pawtucket, where he had been on a rehabilitation assignment.
Buchholz was placed on the disabled list May 14 with a torn nail on his right middle finger. He was 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA in eight starts with Boston and had a 4.50 ERA in two rehabilitation starts after being sent to Pawtucket on May 25.
Last year, Buchholz threw a no-hitter against the Baltimore Orioles in his second major league start on Sept. 1.
Francona said he wanted the 23-year-old Buchholz to work on his command, fastball consistency and his arm slot while in Triple-A.
"There were some things that needed to be worked on and this is probably the best opportunity to do it," Francona said.
Meanwhile, outfielder J.D. Drew said he's feeling better after missing Friday's game with vertigo symptoms.
Drew said he took medication and kept himself hydrated Friday night, which helped alleviated the lightheadedness that kept him out of the lineup.
"It's a lot better," he said. "I've had little bouts here and there, but this is the first time it's been a day or two at a time. It's never lingered. But I'm 100 percent better one day to the next."
Drew wasn't in the starting lineup Saturday and Francona wasn't sure he would be available.
"He's still a little dizzy," Francona said.
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