As we all know, Daisuke Matsuzaka came out of last night’s game with shoulder fatigue, not making it into the fifth inning. He was taken off the hook for a loss by Manny Ramirez’s 499th homer later in the game.
Matsuzaka said that he experienced the same issue in Japan and pitched through it, which cost him his next start. The Red Sox, of course, are treading with caution. While Dice-K could either just have his next start skipped (an off-day Thursday makes this doable) or pushed back, I have to imagine that DLing Dice-K would be the better move.
We all know that the games matter most in October and Dice-K fatigued down the stretch last year. Even if he could pitch his next start on schedule, I see no real reason to, not with Clay Buchholz in waiting. Put him on the DL, give him a break of two to three starts and monitor Buchholz’s return from injury. When Dice-K is ready to return, a decision between Buchholz and Bartolo Colon should be that much easier.
What do you think? Should Dice-K go on the DL even if he could make his next start?
