So much for all that talk about Matsuzaka being healthy and in good shape and all of that:
According to translations, the Kyodo News and the Japanese sports web site Sponichi Annex reported a few days ago that Matsuzaka, who was an early arrival here, had skipped his throwing session at the end of last week because of tightness in his back, and his no-show on the field Tuesday would suggest that the condition had not improved sufficiently to resume throwing. The Japanese media outlets had reported that the Red Sox were aware of the condition, though Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein did not mention it while discussing Matsuzaka with reporters on Monday.
There was concern among some in Red Sox land that Tim Wakefield would become disgruntled as a result of not having a set spot in the rotation. If this is a harbinger of another injury-filled season for Dice-K, Wakefield may very well be quite gruntled this season.
