Boston Red Sox SP Daisuke Matsuzaka hits the DL

May 30, 2008 @ 12:42:55

By Fraser Lovat
Edited by Tim Heaney

Ian Browne, of MLB.com, reports the Boston Red Sox placed starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (shoulder) on the 15-day disabled list Friday, May 30, after an MRI revealed a mild strain of the rotator cuff in his right shoulder. It is his first stint on the DL.

The Red Sox purchased the contract of first baseman Jeff Bailey from Triple-A Pawtucket to take Matsuzaka's place on the roster.

Matsuzaka said his arm didn't feel right from the beginning of his start against the Seattle Mariners Tuesday, May 27, and left the game after four innings with shoulder fatigue.

Manager Terry Francona said Matsuzaka was protesting the decision to place him on the DL and was hoping to pitch through the injury.

Prior to going on the disabled list, Dice-K was tied for second in the majors with eight wins. He was 8-0 with a 2.53 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP, 55 strikeouts and 38 walks in 64 innings pitched. If you have Matsuzaka on your fantasy roster, you should place him in a DL spot or stash him on your bench.

The Boston Globe reports starting pitcher Clay Buchholz (fingernail) is expected to make his second rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket Friday, May 30, but could receive a spot start Tuesday, June 3, Matsuzaka's scheduled turn in the rotation. Buchholz is 2-3 with a 5.53 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 43 strikeouts and 20 walks in 42 1/3 innings pitched this season.

Another option for the BoSox would be to recall starting pitcher Justin Masterson to receive a spot start Tuesday, June 3. Masterson, who gave up two runs in a six-inning effort for Triple-A Pawtucket Thursday, May 29, is 1-0 with a 1.46 ERA, nine strikeouts and seven walks in 12 1/3 innings pitched in two spot starts with the Red Sox this season. He has a 3.86 ERA in nine combined starts for Pawtucket and Double-A Portland this season.

Keep an eye out to see who receives the start Tuesday, June 3, so you can pick up that pitcher in your league. Chances are both Buchholz and Masterson are available in shallow leagues; both hurlers would be solid choices for AL-only setups as well as deep leagues if you need temporary pitching help. Both have upside if they remain in the majors after Dice-K comes back.

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Fraser Lovat
Fraser is a Hot off the Wire Analyst with KFFL and has been with the company since 2007.

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