It's Not Going According to Plan

I'm not panicking, I'm not panicking, I'm not panicking.

Daisuke Matsuzaka pitched just one inning last night, as the Red Sox broke out to a 3-0 early lead. But he gave it right back, allowing five runs, five hits, and was gone. The Red Sox say he's got "arm fatigue" but he insists he's fine. It sounds more and more like there is a growing disconnect between player and club. Was this fatigue caused by his starts in the WBC? Maybe. But Daisuke said he needed it to build up his arm strength. I fear the DL is looming.

The game ended with a brutal 12-inning loss, on three walks and a infield chopper. (Bloody hell.) The bullpen was sensational last night after Matsuzaka departed, as Justin Masterson pitched four solid innings. He was followed by good work from Ramon Ramirez, Manny Delcarmen, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon. 10 shutout innings until Javier Lopez and his walk parade gave it away. Tito Francona really in a tough spot, as Tim Wakefield will have to give the Sox innings today, as only Takashi Saito wasn't used last night.

The Red Sox are now 2-6. The clutch hitting is still AWOL. You can sum it up in the 10th last night, as David Ortiz came up with the bases loaded, two out and the score tied. And once again, he popped up to end it. It has to get better, and soon.

And the injury news gets worse, as Jed Lowrie may have to have surgery on his ailing wrist, and that could shelve him for the year. The Red Sox haven't made a decision yet on whether he will rehab it or go the surgery route. And I also just heard that Clay Buchholz pulled at a hamstring at Pawtucket, so if Dice-K hits the DL, he may not be an option for recall.

No, I'm not panicking. No, I'm not. I promise you I'm not...

UPDATE: Daisuke Matsuzaka was just placed on the 15-day DL this afternoon, and reliever Hunter Jones was called up to take his place. I would guess that Justin Masterson, off his stint last night, will move to the rotation.