FORT MYERS, Fla. — Daisuke Matsuzaka figures to have a spot in the Red Sox rotation nailed down. However, that's not the way he intends on going about his business this spring.
Following his first start of spring training Monday at City of Palms Park, Matsuzaka talked as if he still had to earn one of the five starting roles.
"At this stage, there is no promise to be in the rotation," Matsuzaka said through interpreter Kenta Yamada.
After the way the last two springs went for Matsuzaka, it makes sense for him to act like nothing is a given. Physically, he never was right in 2009 after pitching in the World Baseball Classic that winter. Last year, it was a neck strain suffered in March that sidelined him until May. Neither year went very well after the early injuries.
Matsuzaka, who gave up a solo homer in two innings of work against the Minnesota Twins on Monday, is focused on avoiding those issues and proving to the team he is worthy of breaking camp as a starter.
Although most have figured it was a foregone conclusion that Matsuzaka would bring up the rear of the rotation, he is welcoming competition, which would presumably include Alfredo Aceves. In fact, Matsuzaka feels it will only help him to receive no guarantees.
"It's actually very important for me to be in competition," Matsuzaka said.
The righty, who looks to be in great shape, said he is focused on maintaining his conditioning above all else.
"In the past two years, the overall conditioning was not excellent and was not to the point where I needed it to be. This year the goal is to be in shape," Matsuzaka said.
And to be in the rotation, whether it is a given or not.
