News
Dice-K's rehab start pushed to Sunday
Weather causes change in plans; Lowrie to play Saturday
By Ian Browne / MLB.com
08/28/09 7:51 PM ET
BOSTON -- With a tropical storm moving through New England this weekend, the Red Sox made a logistical change with right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka, pushing his next Minor League rehab start back one day to Sunday afternoon.Matsuzaka will make that start for Double-A Portland in a game played at Manchester, N.H.
There will be one more Minor League start after that for Matsuzaka, tentatively scheduled for Triple-A Pawtucket on Sept. 4.
Originally, Matsuzaka could have pitched for the Red Sox by Sept. 8. But manager Terry Francona said that the plan all along was that he would likely pitch on Sept. 9 at Fenway Park against the Orioles, and that is still the case.
"We really wanted him to pitch on [Sept. 9], so it actually works out perfect," Francona said.
Matsuzaka, who is on the disabled list with a right shoulder strain, last pitched for Boston on June 19.
In other Minor League rehab news, shortstop Jed Lowrie, who came out on Wednesday night with pain in his surgically repaired left wrist, will start back up for Pawtucket on Saturday in a game in Scranton, Pa.
"What we'll try to do is just let him do what he can do," Francona said. "We can't force the issue, and he understands that, but we've got to try to get an honest read on where he is to make decisions, so that's what we'll do."
Lowrie is on the disabled list with ulnar neuritis in the left wrist. Boston's medical staff is confident that his recent soreness was nothing out of the ordinary.
"I think it's almost to be expected," said Francona. "A check swing [caused it]. I don't know if zinger is the right word. In an area like that, where there's a lot of little things, if there's any kind of swelling or any kind of irritation, that's going to happen. I think the biggest thing is that when he knows that's happening, he's not hurting himself."
Catcher George Kottaras, who has been on the DL since Aug. 1 with a lower back strain, has ended his rehab assignment and will be activated on Tuesday, when rosters are expanded.
Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
