Dice-K To See Japanese Doctor, May Need Tommy John Surgery
BOSTON (CBS) - WBZ-TV has learned that injured Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to Japan to get treatment on his ailing right elbow.
The Red Sox announced last week that Matsuzaka has a sprained ulnar collateral ligament, but it is believed that the ligament is indeed torn. Matsuzaka is not heading to Japan for a second opinion, but instead is going to try a Japanese herbal remedy to see if it helps.
The Red Sox are trying rest and rehab as their first form of treatment, but there is a strong possibility that Matsuzaka will eventually need Tommy John surgery, which will put him on the shelf for at least a year.
Matsuzaka is also expected to see Dr Lewis Yocum, who will look at the MRI of Daisuke's elbow to confirm the diagnosis at the request of his agent Scott Boras.
Matsuzaka is 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA this season.
Matsuzaka is making $10-plus million this season and in 2012.