Boston Red Sox pitcher to make rehab start in Portland Saturday

Published Date Written by David Carkhuff

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, "Dice K," is scheduled to make a rehab start for the Portland Sea Dogs on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hadlock Field when the Sea Dogs take on the Reading Phillies, the Sea Dogs reported yesterday.

The 31-year-old Matsuzaka was placed on the disabled list on May 18, 2011 and underwent successful Tommy John surgery on June 10, 2011 to reconstruct a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm. He made his first rehab start with Single-A Salem on Monday, April 23 where he allowed three runs on six hits in four innings of work.

In six seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Matsuzaka has notched a 49-30 career record with a 4.25 ERA. His best season came in 2008 when he went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA. Prior to joining the Red Sox he had an eight-year career with the Seibu Lions of Nippon Professional Baseball where he was 108-60 with a 2.95 ERA. He was the MVP of the World Baseball Classic in both 2006 and 2009.

Although this will be Matsuzaka's first time at Hadlock Field, it will not be his first time in a Sea Dogs uniform. Matsuzaka previously made a rehab appearance with the Sea Dogs on Aug. 30, 2009 when the Sea Dogs were on the road in Manchester, N.H., taking on the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

The Portland Sea Dogs are 6-15 on the season following a win in New Britain, Conn., Wednesday. The Sea Dogs trailed in the ninth, but notched five runs in the final frame and closed out the 7-3 win over the New Britain Rock Cats (13-7) Wednesday afternoon at New Britain Stadium, the Sea Dogs reported.

The Sea Dogs enjoy a scheduled off day today, and open up a seven-game homestand Friday night. The Reading Phillies will be in town for the first three games, and the Trenton Thunder will make up the final four games of the stand. Portland will send right-handed pitcher Chris Martin (0-2, 5.03) to the mound Friday night.