Daisuke Matsuzaka Injury Update – Looking Good
Daisuke Matsuzaka looks to be back on track during early Spring Training action this March. Matsuzaka threw a productive session on Monday of this week and could be in line for a regular bullpen session by the end of the week. Dice-K threw long-toss from the 180-200 foot range and also threw 25-30 pitches off of the pitcher’s mound to a standing catcher. Matsuzaka has indicated that he does not have anymore issues with his back right now.
Manager Terry Francona was ecstatic about the session – “That was about as good a day, I think, as you could have. I don’t think you can throw the ball like that and not be totally healthy. So probably start thinking about toward the end of the week, getting him some real mound work where he’s throwing some sides and throwing to hitters and going through that progression. But that was a real, real good day.”
It’s still unclear whether Matsuzaka will be ready by opening day. But it may not really matter – there are a ton of off-days for the Red Sox in April so even if he is ready by the 3rd week of April, that may be the 1st time that the Sox really need him. This could be good news Red Sox Nation. We’ll keep you posted, but let’s just hope that Daisuke avoids any further setbacks the rest of the spring.