“Dice K” is on his way……
from www.journalnow.com:
A major-league star is coming to pitch in Winston-Salem tonight.
Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka of the Boston Red Sox will make a rehabilitation start for the Salem Red Sox in the opening game of the Carolina League’s Southern Division championship series this evening against the Winston-Salem Dash, The Roanoke Times has reported.
Manager Chad Epperson of Salem said Tuesday that Matsuzaka will start against the Dash tonight at Wake Forest Baseball Park at 7 p.m.
Matsuzaka has been on the disabled list with a shoulder injury and has not pitched for Boston since June 19.
Matsuzaka has a record of 34-20 in three major-league seasons, including 18-3 last year.
more from journalnow.com:
Dash manager Joe McEwing will send lefty Justin Edwards (6-2) to the mound tonight against Daisuke Matsuzaka, who will be making a rehab start for the parent Boston Red Sox.
Matsuzaka, known as “Dice K,” has battled injuries all season and is 1-5 with an 8.25 earned-run average in the majors. He has an $8-million contract for this season but hasn’t pitched for Boston since June 19. And although it’s against Carolina League rules to add other minor-leaguers for the playoffs, major-leaguers can play if they’re on a rehabilitation assignment.
“It’s something we will continue to do, and that’s rise to the challenge,” McEwing said. “This team is a team that grinds it out every single day, and they’ll be ready for the challenge.”
Edwards suggested that the Dash’s offense would be extra motivated to face Matsuzaka.
“It’s just another game, and it’s an opportunity to try and beat him,” Edwards said. “I think it gives our offense more motivation to go out there and put some good swings on him and try to score some runs.”
Edwards (4.23 ERA) has made 14 starts for the Dash since being promoted June 18 and says that part of the team’s success comes from good chemistry.
“In my four years in the organization, I think this team has the best chemistry I’ve played with,” Edwards said. “I think Joe has a lot to do with that. He’s the best manager I’ve ever played for, and I think a lot of the guys feel the same way.