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Dice-K Placed On DL

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The Associated Press

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

BALTIMORE - Daisuke Matsuzaka was placed on the 15-day disabled list Friday by the Boston Red Sox, who opted to take a cautious approach after an MRI exam revealed a mild strain of his right rotator cuff.

Matsuzaka was examined in Boston by Dr. Thomas Gill. It is the first trip to the disabled list by Matsuzaka, who joined the Red Sox last season after pitching in Japan.

"The real good news is there were no structural changes," Boston manager Terry Francona said. "The best way we can see to attack this, we'll DL him, take the time down and get him ready to pitch the rest of the season. That's kind of where we are."

The move was retroactive to Wednesday. Matsuzaka is 8-0 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 starts this season. Opponents are batting .195 against him.

Asked what the loss of Matsuzaka does to the rotation, Francona replied, "Nothing for right now, just keep everybody on track. On Tuesday, we'll need a starter against Tampa Bay."

ANGELS: Los Angeles activated second baseman Howie Kendrick on Friday and placed third baseman Chone Figgins on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season, retroactive to May 22, because of irritation in his right hamstring.

Kendrick had been sidelined for 42 games after straining his left hamstring on April 13. He had 18 hits in his first 36 at-bats before the injury.

Figgins, a former Brandon High standout, is batting .306 with seven RBIs in 33 games. He missed 15 games earlier this month because of a strained right hamstring and reinjured himself in his first game back from the DL on May 21 at Toronto. He sat out the next seven games before Friday's move.

BRAVES: Atlanta put outfielder Mark Kotsay on the 15-day disabled list with a strained lower back, but could have right-hander John Smoltz back in the bullpen next week.

Kotsay was scratched from a game Monday with tightness in his back. He flew with the team from Milwaukee to Cincinnati on Thursday night, then continued on to Atlanta to get medical tests.

INDIANS: Designated hitter Travis Hafner, after taking a few practice swings, was sent home and will be placed on the 15-day disabled list with a sore right shoulder.

Hafner, who is hitting only .217 with four home runs, has been bothered by the shoulder since spring training. He hasn't played since Sunday.

YANKEES: Catcher Jorge Posada is scheduled to throw to the bases in a game today for the first time since being sidelined by a sore shoulder on April 27.

Posada, who has been in extended spring training, could rejoin the Yankees next week.

Posada went 2-for-5 with a walk as the designated hitter in an extended spring game against Tampa Bay minor-leaguers.

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