With Daisuke Matsuzaka returning to the Boston Red Sox rotation on Saturday, the team had to clear a roster spot for him not only on the 25-man roster but also on the 40-man roster. The reason being is that the Red Sox had placed Dice-K on the 60-Day DL to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Scott Podsednik.
After the game, Alex Speier of WEEI.com via Twitter reported that Marlon Byrd was meeting with Red Sox officials and manager Bobby Valentine after Friday night’s 7-4 loss to the Washington Nationals. Shortly thereafter, Ian Browne of MLB.com via Twitter reported that Byrd was going to be designated for assignment to make room for Dice-K.
Once the transaction becomes official, the Red Sox will have 10 days to trade Byrd or give him his outright release. If any team claims Byrd, they’d be responsible for what is remaining on the $6.5 million he’s set to earn this season.
Byrd was acquired from the Chicago Cubs on April 21st for Michael Bowden and a player to be named later who turned out to be Hunter Cervenka.
After starting out the season 3-for-43 with the Cubbies, Byrd hit .270 (27-for-100) with one home run and seven RBIs in 34 games for the local nine.
Dice-K’s last start in a Red Sox uniform came on May 16, 2011 when he got a no decision against the Baltimore Orioles. He ended up going on the disabled list on May 18, 2011 and had Tommy John surgery on June 10, 2011.
So he’ll be making his first start almost one year to the day, he underwent the dreaded surgery. Through two different rehab assignments this year, Dice-K went 0-3 with a 3.65 ERA making one start with the Salem Red Sox, one with the Portland Sea Dogs and six with the Pawtucket Red Sox.
With Daniel Bard‘s struggles continuing in his first start for the PawSox on Friday, it will be interesting to see what Matsuzaka brings to the table on Saturday as well as going forward.
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