Report: Dice-K Opting For Tommy John Surgery
BOSTON (CBS) -Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has decided to undergo Tommy John surgery, according to a report.
Japanese news agency Nikkan Sports first reported Matsuzka's intentions, which will sideline him until the 2012 season.
Update: Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman tweeted on Thursday that Matsuzaka will undergo Tommy John surgery sometime next week, performed by Dr. Yokum.
Matsuzaka was placed on the disabled list on May 18th with what Boston feared was a torn Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his elbow. They were hoping Dice-K would be able to recover with rest, and allowed him to return to Japan to talk it over with his family.
Gallery: Red Sox On The DL
The Sox right-hander was examined by Dr. Lewis Yokum in California this week, who confirmed with the Red Sox that Matsuzaka had a torn UCL.
Matsuzaka was 3-3 with an ERA of 5.30 in eight starts in 2011. He has one year remaining on the six-year, $52 million deal he signed in 2007 after Boston paid a $51 million posting fee just to talk with the Japanese star.
Matsuzaka is 49-30 with a 4.25 ERA with Boston.
