Daisuke Matsuzaka is set to undergo Tommy John surgery to repair torn ligaments in his elbow, but the situation is still shocking to the Red Sox starter.
Matsuzaka addressed the media for the first time on Sunday, and said that he is "very shocked" that he needs the surgery, according to MLB.com. He said the decision was finalized on Friday.
The right-hander said that he decided to have surgery so that the ulnar collateral ligament in his elbow will be fully healed. He said that he will find out on Monday when the surgery is scheduled for, although it's expected to take place at some point this week.
Dr. Lewis Yocum, the Angels team physician who gave Matsuzaka a second opinion on the elbow last week, will perform the surgery.
Matsuzaka left his May 16 start in the fifth inning with elbow tightness, but he never envisioned that he had just suffered an injury that will force him to miss the remainder of this season and a good portion of next season. With 2012 being the last year that Matsuzaka is under contract with the Red Sox, there are some questions as to whether or not he will ever play in a Sox uniform again.
Matsuzaka, who said that he has anxiety, said that he plans to pitch again, and hopefully for the Red Sox.
"All I can do is do what I have to do to get at my best and come back to the game," he said.
