The progression of pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka making his return to the Boston Red Sox starting rotation will soon come to an end. On Sunday, Boston reported Matsuzaka, who's rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, will make two more minor-league starts with the Pawtucket Red Sox before returning to the big leagues.
↵Most would admit that's a good thing for the Red Sox, however, manager Bobby Valentine spoke to the media Sunday and voiced concerns about Matsuzaka's latest outing, which came Saturday.
↵↵↵"I watched the game. I didn't think he was as good as he should be," Valentine said. "His mechanics [weren't] very good at all, I think. But he's throwing pain-free, so that's good."
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Matsuzaka tossed only 5 1/3 innings allowing five runs on seven hits Saturday, but felt no pain in the 90-pitch outing.
↵↵↵"I've been watching him," he said. "Right now he's worried about his strength and his ability to endure pitches and things like that."
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