As the Red Sox struggle through August, they'd love to have some of their missing pieces back. At the top of the list? Daisuke Matsuzaka and Jed Lowrie.
According to Boston.com, the news is good on the Matsuzaka front: He threw 40 pitches from the mound in Ft. Myers on Tuesday as he works his way back from a shoulder problem. On Friday, he'll take the mound again with an increased pitch count of 55. While he was limited to fastballs on Tuesday, he will work in his off-speed stuff on Friday.
On Monday, Dice-K will throw a third session of 65 pitches.
Red Sox manager Terry Francona told Boston.com he was happy with the the report from Ft. Myers: "All indications were that things went really well."
As for Lowrie, things are as good as can be expected. The shorstop, who missed the first half of the season as he recovered from wrist surgery, visited Dr. Donald Sheridan on Tuesday and was diagnosed with "nerve irritation" in his left arm.
Boston.com reports that he will take medication and may return to the club this season.
In the meantime, get used to Nick Green.
