Daisuke Matsuzaka will be making his first start of the season soon enough, as the righty recently wrapped up his final minor league rehab stint.
It’s better late than never for Dice-K, whose spring training was hindered with neck and back issues. He started the year on the farm where in three starts, he allowed just three earned runs, struck out 13 and walked one in 16 2/3 innings for Triple-A Pawtucket.
Matsuzaka’s 2010 debut will likely be next weekend in Baltimore, but not before he hurls four simulated innings on Monday in Toronto. Last season, Matsuzaka was limited to just 12 starts and 59 1/3 innings due to shoulder problems and fatigue. Dice-K finished strong upon returning to the rotation, when he went 3-1 with a 2.22 ERA in the final month of action.
Is Matsuzaka over his injury woes? John in Raynham wonders: How many starts will Dice-K make this season?
As of 11 p.m. Sunday, 58 percent of Red Sox nation think Dice-K will continue to fight the injury bug this season, seeing 15 starts or less for Matsuzaka. Thirty-four percent think the righty will be in the 16-20 start range while only eight percent feel Dice-K will stay healthy and be effective enough to top 20 starts. The 8 a.m. results were the same, with 58 percent forecasting 15 starts or fewer.
