TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to rejoin the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday after helping Japan win the World Baseball Classic.

Dice-K improved his record in the WBC to 3-0 with a victory over the United States in the semifinals at Dodger Stadium on Sunday night. Japan beat South Korea in the final Monday night.

Red Sox officials are discussing when Matsuzaka will pitch again.

“We have some ideas on how we want to do this with him,” Boston manager Terry Francona said before Tuesday night’s game against the New York Yankees. “We do want to talk with him.”

Matsuzaka went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts last season.

In other news, John Smoltz is set for his first full bullpen session on Wednesday. Coming back from shoulder surgery in June, the right-hander will throw around 30 pitches.

“He was just telling me today, ‘I’m not going to sleep tonight,”‘ Francona said.

“He’s excited.”

Smoltz, who could return this summer, is not expected to pitch in a minor league game before spring training ends.

Jon Lester allowed four runs and 10 hits over six innings in a Triple-A game Tuesday. He threw 61 of 91 pitches for strikes.

Jason Varitek caught Lester, and also hit a solo homer.

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