End the speculation and the "what ifs" because the Boston Red Sox' Daisuke Matsuzaka has apparently opted to have Tommy John surgery, according to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman: 

Dice-k will have tommy john surgery. Dr. Lewis yocum will perform, probably next week.

However, the decision may not yet be official. MLB's Ian Browne says that "whatever decision Dice-K and the Red Sox make will officially come on Friday at the earliest." Matsuzaka was scheduled to meet with Red Sox officials on Thursday to discuss options.

Dice-K, who first felt pain in his elbow during his start on April 29, is 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA in eight starts in 2011. He hasn't pitched since May 16.

Tommy John surgery would not only end Dice-K's 2011 season, but would also force him to miss part of the 2012 campaign. Interestingly enough, 2012 is the final season of Dice-K's six-year, $52 million contract. He is set to make $10 million in both 2011 and 2012.