BOSTON -- Daisuke Matsuzaka has been diagnosed with what Red Sox medical director Dr. Tom Gill described as "a sprained ulnar collateral ligament, and strain to his common flexor mass," and he's expected to miss at least a month.
UCL sprains frequently lead to Tommy John elbow surgery, which sidelines pitchers for 12-18 months, but the Red Sox are hopeful they've caught the problem early.
Matsuzaka won't throw until he's re-examined in two weeks. Even if he were cleared to begin throwing again at that time, he would need at least two more weeks to work his way back into pitching shape.
More to come . . .
-- Sean McAdam and Maureen Mullen