Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is continuing to rehab from Tommy John surgery that ended his season last June. On Thursday, Matsuzaka threw two simulated innings against batters which prompted questions about his return.
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said that his pitcher could return to game action "closer to June 1" than July 1.
"July? I think that that's more than realistic, yeah. We have it mapped out before that. Closer to June 1st," said Valentine, who clarified that he was referring to a timetable for Matsuzaka to return to the major leagues. "I mean, potentially. And there I went. I threw out a date, didn't I? I told you the first day I'll never throw out a date, didn't I?" (via WEEI)
Last season before the surgery, Matsuzaka made seven starts and was 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA. During his Red Sox career, he is 49-30 with a 4.25 ERA.
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