Dice-K opting for Tommy John Surgery

Daisuke Matsuzaka, who has been on the DL since May 18th, decided to get season ending Tommy John surgery after seeking a second opinion from a doctor in Japan. The Red Sox feel he can be treated without surgery.

Dice-K signed a 6yr/$52 mil contract in the 2006 offseason and may have pitched his last game since the injury can sideline him all of next year too. He won 33 games his first 2 years but has been a bust overall, piling up walks, a hefty ERA and DL visits. In his last 3 years his ERA/WHIP totals are 5.76/1.87, 4.69/1.37 and 5.30/1.47.

My take on Matsuzaka is he is brutal to watch. He takes forever to pitch and nibbles at the corners instead of going at hitters. He did not come as advertised. Where was the 95 mph fastball? Where was the gyroball? Where was this competitor that wanted the ball to finish games, no matter how many pitches he needed to throw? Dice-K will not be missed.

In the short term, Tim Wakefield is taking his place in the rotation. I believe a prospect like Felix Dubront or someone like an Aaron Harrang at the trade deadline will eventually take over that 5th starter role. The Sox recently signed Kevin Millwood to a minor league contract and he has an outside shot at taking that spot over as well.