Matsuzaka fares well in rehab assignment

Jun 17, 2008 - 3:30 AM ALLENTOWN, Pennsylvania (Ticker) -- Boston Red Sox righthander Daisuke Matsuzaka performed well in his rehabilitation assignment Monday night for Class AAA Pawtucket.

In his first game since straining his rotator cuff last month, Matsuzaka allowed two runs and three hits in five innings against Lehigh Valley in an International League game. The Japanese hurler struck out five and walked one while tossing 47 of his 65 pitches for strikes.

Matsuzaka faced the minimum of 12 batters through four innings before allowing three hits in the fifth. He departed the game with Pawtucket holding a 5-2 advantage.

After saying that he felt fine during the outing, Matsuzaka is expected to head to Philadelphia on Tuesday to join his teammates as they play the second of three games against the Phillies.

The 27-year-old Matsuzaka is 8-0 with a 2.53 ERA in 11 starts for the Red Sox this season.