New father Matsuzaka appears set for Tokyo trip
FORT MYERS, Florida (AFP) — Japanese star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka became a father for the second time on Saturday morning and as a result is likely to throw for the Boston Red Sox in Tokyo later this month.
Matsuzaka's wife Tomoyo gave birth to the couple's second child and first son at 7:30 Saturday morning, the reigning World Series champions announced.
The Red Sox are without ace hurler Josh Beckett due to back spasms, making Matsuzaka a prime candidate to throw for Boston in the Major League Baseball season opener on march 25 against Oakland at the Tokyo Dome.
There was concern Matsuzaka would want to stay with his wife were she still expecting to give birth, even at the cost of missing a trip to his homeland.
Matsuzaka, who was expected to return to training camp by Monday, pitched a pre-season game for the Red Sox on Friday and was given a day off.
Matsuzaka is expected to pitch for Boston on Wednesday in the team's final US pre-season game Wednesday against Toronto. The Red Sox plan to depart for Tokyo later Wednesday.
