DAISUKE MATSUZAKA

A POWERFUL CHAMPIONSHIP TEAM

April 3, 2007 ... No game scheduled ... Daisuke Matsuzaka being in uniform for his first big-league game received more coverage in the Japanese media than Okajima giving up a home run yesterday to John Buck on the first pitch he threw in the big leagues. But Hochi Sports noted that had happened only four times in Japanese baseball history and the Fuji Evening News archly pointed out that Buck was the No. 8 hitter on a 100-loss team. Mike Timlin (oblique muscle) threw 20 pitches in a minor league camp game in Fort Myers, reported no ill effects, and is scheduled to pitch an inning for Pawtucket when they open their season tomorrow in Charlotte. Julian Tavarez threw 35 pitches to Sox reserves in a simulated game, while Matsuzaka threw 45 pitches off the mound in Kauffman Stadium, which was officially closed to the media.