ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka is scheduled to make his first minor league rehab start on Tuesday.
Matsuzaka has been on the 15-day disabled list since April 15 with a mild right shoulder strain.
Boston manager Terry Francona, before the Red Sox played Tampa Bay on Friday night, said the start would likely be with Triple-A Pawtucket. Matsuzaka could work three innings or throw around 45 pitches.
Matsuzaka will have a 45-pitch bullpen session Saturday. He might make several starts in the minors.
“The idea was never to put a Band-Aid on this,” Francona said.
In two starts this season, Matsuzaka is 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA.
Outfielder Mark Kotsay, rehabbing after back surgery, is set to join Pawtucket this weekend. He will be the designated hitter Saturday and could play in the field one day later.
Outfielder Rocco Baldelli, out with a left hamstring strain, might start a rehab assignment as a DH early next week.
John Smoltz, working to return following right shoulder surgery, is scheduled to meet with team officials including Francona on Saturday. The right-hander had his throwing work shutdown earlier this week and is on a one-week program of drills to build up strength.
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