As they try to figure out what is wrong with him, the Boston Red Sox have told Matsuzaka that he will skip his next start. In Matsuzaka’s place, the Red Sox will go with John Smoltz, who will be making his season debut.

Last season, Matsuzaka was 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA. He appeared to be well worth the huge contract he received prior to the 2007 season. This year? Not so much.

In eight starts, Matsuzaka has an 8.23 ERA with a record of 1-5. In 35 innings of work, he’s given up 59 hits, 18 walks and eight homers.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona thinks he knows where Matsuzaka’s struggles originate.

Said Francona: “It all started with the WBC. It’s become obvious that his velocity wasn’t what it was.”

Sources in Boston are split about whether Matsuzaka is simply fatigued or may have something physically ailing him. Just to make sure, the Red Sox are going to put him through a full medical exam.

Daisuke Matsuzaka - Boston Red Sox (Image: Zuma Press)

Post from: EveryJoe

Daisuke Matsuzaka to Skip Start