Red Sox' Dice-K Coming Off the DL This Week

Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka is expected to come off the disabled list and start Thursday night against the Colorado Rockies.

Matsuzaka was scratched just before the first pitch of his scheduled start last Saturday against Philadelphia, and later was placed on the 15-day disabled list because of a strained forearm after feeling discomfort warming up.

He threw 49 pitches in a simulated game before Saturday's game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

"He felt fine," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said.

Matsuzaka, who started the season on the DL because of a neck strain, is 5-2 with a 4.59 ERA in eight starts this season.

After Dice-K was pronounced ready to go, the Red Sox optioned Friday's starter and winner Felix Doubront to Triple-A Pawtucket and called up right-hander Robert Manuel to add depth to the bullpen.

Manuel was 4-1 with an 0.98 ERA with Pawtucket.

Boston Red Sox's Daisuke Matsuzaka to come off disabled list, start vs. Colorado Rockies - ESPN Boston

Nice to see that it wasn't a very serious injury.