Daisuke

Matsuzaka

He struck out seven and walked a pair while throwing 74 pitches. Assuming he stays on a regular five-day schedule, he’ll make his next rehab start on Thursday. He is currently on track to join the Red Sox in late May.

Dice-K allowed just one run over 4 2/3 innings Saturday at the Double-A level in what was his second rehab outing. If everything continues to go smoothly, he could join the Red Sox starting rotation in mid-May. The 31-year-old right-hander has made a swift recovery from Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery.

Dice-K underwent Tommy John elbow surgery last summer. He’s currently aiming for a June 1 return.

Daisuke struck out five, walked one and hit two batters while throwing just 54 of his 90 pitches for strikes. The Red Sox seem likely to ask him to make one more rehab start. His 30-day rehab window closes May 23.

Matsuzaka struggled in a rehab start for Triple-A Pawtucket on Saturday, giving up five earned runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings of work. His 30-day rehab window closes May 23. To fit Dice-K into the rotation, Valentine will likely have to bump Daniel Bard or Felix Doubront to the bullpen. Bobby V said he didn’t want to go to a six-man rotation long-term.

Matsuzaka, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, has already progressed to incorporating his secondary pitches during bullpen sessions. It’s not clear when he’ll be ready for game action, but he need to make it through a bunch of minor league rehab starts before a return to the majors is a realistic possibility. The 31-year-old right-hander is entering the final year of his contract with the Red Sox.

Dice-K allowed six hits (including two home runs) while fanning three and walking none. He threw 40 out of 57 pitches for strikes. Matsuzaka is scheduled to make five starts in the minors, but with his rehab clock officially ticking, he’s slated to join the Red Sox by May 23.

Dice-K allowed three runs over four innings Monday in his first minor league rehab game. The 31-year-old right-hander is on track to join the Red Sox in late May.

He’s slated to throw around 90 pitches. Dice-K owns a 2.70 ERA and 14/5 K/BB ratio in 13 1/3 innings over his first three rehab starts. His 30-day rehab window expires on May 23, though it’s possible the Red Sox could activate him sooner. It’s not clear how the roster will shake out, but now is the time to stash him in AL-only leagues.

Dice-K is progressing well in his bullpen sessions, but the Red Sox plan to bring him along slowly following Tommy John surgery last June. If all goes well, he should be back around the middle of the season.