According to Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine -- speaking after Sunday's 5-1 win over the Phillies -- Daisuke Matsuzaka won't make what was scheduled to be his final rehab start Tuesday, as the pitcher received an injection in his ailing right trapezius muscle.
Because of the ailment, the Red Sox will be allowed to restart the pitcher's rehab clock after he sits out seven days. Matsuzaka's rehab assignment was slated to end Wednesday. According to Major League Baseball rules, the only way a player's rehab assignment can be extended is if it can be proven to the league that there is a physical issue which has to be dealt with.
"He got another injection today in the right trap that's been bothering him for quite a while," Valentine told reporters, "and we've got to make sure that's 100 percent before he's going out there again."
When speaking with the media Friday, Matsuzaka suggested his right elbow was in good health, but on Saturday Valentine noted that the pitcher had been dealing with soreness in his trapezius muscle. It's an injury the righty has had to deal with as recently as spring training.
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