After making four starts for the Red Sox in his return from Tommy John surgery, Matsuzaka was placed back on the disabled list on July 3 with a nagging neck injury. This time, he's hoping the worst is behind him.
Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said the hurler would start a rehab assignment on Monday in Pawtucket. It's the next step, considering Matsuzaka has thrown two bullpen sessions in recent weeks.
"That would be a pitch-limited session, but he’s feeling good," Valentine said. "Right now, he’s throwing the ball — the last session he had in the outfield and on the mound was his best session so far since spring training."
Before the setback, Matsuzaka was 0-3 with a 6.65 ERA. In 23 innings, he struck out 20 batters while issuing eight walks.
Have a question for Didier Morais? Send it to him via Twitter at @DidierMorais or send it here. He will pick a few questions to answer every week for his mailbag.
