Matsuzaka goes to DL, Jones recalled
Posted by Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff April 15, 2009 02:17 PM
The Red Sox have placed Daisuke Matsuzaka on the 15-day disabled list with a tired shoulder and recalled lefthanded reliever Hunter Jones from Pawtucket.
The news hardly comes as a surprise after Matsuzaka's alarmingly ineffective performance Tuesday night during the Red Sox' 6-5 12-inning loss to the host Oakland A's. Matsuzaka recorded just three outs and threw just 22 of his 43 pitches for strikes in his second start of the season. After the Sox staked him to a 3-0 lead in the top of this inning, he allowed five hits, two walks and five runs in the bottom half, facing 10 batters.
After the game, the club said that Matsuzaka, who was the Most Valuable Player of the World Baseball Classic this spring while pitching Japan to its second title, was suffering from "arm fatigue." He will be examined by Dr. Thomas Gill, the club's team doctor, on Friday.
In two starts this season, Matsuzaka is 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA. In 6.1 innings, he has allowed 14 hits, five walks, three home runs, and nine earned runs while striking out five. Red Sox manager Terry Francona indicated earlier today during a radio interview that the team believes Matsuzaka's issues stem from trying to do too much too soon in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
Jones, a 6-foot-4-inch, 240-pound southpaw, is en route to Oakland, and the Sox are hoping the 25-year-old arrives before or during the game since their bullpen was depleted last night. Justin Masterson, Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez, Hideki Okajima, and Jonathan Papelbon combined to pitch 10 scoreless relief innings Tuesday night before Javier Lopez suffered the loss in the 12th inning.
It is uncertain for now who will take Matsuzaka's next turn in the rotation, though Masterson, who struck out six in four innings last night, would seem to to be the best bet. It also may be dependent on the status of Josh Beckett, who is appealing his six-game suspension -- one start -- for nearly hitting the Angels' Bobby Abreu with a pitch Sunday.
Posted by Amalie Benjamin, Globe Staff April 15, 2009 02:17 PM
The Red Sox have placed Daisuke Matsuzaka on the 15-day disabled list with a tired shoulder and recalled lefthanded reliever Hunter Jones from Pawtucket.
The news hardly comes as a surprise after Matsuzaka's alarmingly ineffective performance Tuesday night during the Red Sox' 6-5 12-inning loss to the host Oakland A's. Matsuzaka recorded just three outs and threw just 22 of his 43 pitches for strikes in his second start of the season. After the Sox staked him to a 3-0 lead in the top of this inning, he allowed five hits, two walks and five runs in the bottom half, facing 10 batters.
After the game, the club said that Matsuzaka, who was the Most Valuable Player of the World Baseball Classic this spring while pitching Japan to its second title, was suffering from "arm fatigue." He will be examined by Dr. Thomas Gill, the club's team doctor, on Friday.
In two starts this season, Matsuzaka is 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA. In 6.1 innings, he has allowed 14 hits, five walks, three home runs, and nine earned runs while striking out five. Red Sox manager Terry Francona indicated earlier today during a radio interview that the team believes Matsuzaka's issues stem from trying to do too much too soon in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
Jones, a 6-foot-4-inch, 240-pound southpaw, is en route to Oakland, and the Sox are hoping the 25-year-old arrives before or during the game since their bullpen was depleted last night. Justin Masterson, Manny Delcarmen, Ramon Ramirez, Hideki Okajima, and Jonathan Papelbon combined to pitch 10 scoreless relief innings Tuesday night before Javier Lopez suffered the loss in the 12th inning.
It is uncertain for now who will take Matsuzaka's next turn in the rotation, though Masterson, who struck out six in four innings last night, would seem to to be the best bet. It also may be dependent on the status of Josh Beckett, who is appealing his six-game suspension -- one start -- for nearly hitting the Angels' Bobby Abreu with a pitch Sunday.
