Dice-K Removed From Red Sox Rotation

It was obvious that eventually the Red Sox would have to make a change in their rotation. With John Smoltz healthy and ready to go and every other starter currently outperforming him, Daisuke Matsuzaka was the odd man out. This is from a Boston.com report on manager Terry Francona's afternoon press conference.

"We need to get him looked at physically," said Francona. "He's gonna get looked at by (Red Sox trainer) Tom Gill. He's going to get tests done. There's a potential for MRIs. All of that information will be coming very soon."

Terry Francona and the Red Sox seem to be blaming Dice-K's appearances in the World Baseball Classic for leaving him unprepared for the regular season. While he is currently only assured of missing one start I believe that the Red Sox intend to see his velocity returned to its former level and an improvement in his control before he will pitch in the major leagues again.

This also takes some of the heat off the Red Sox to trade one of their rotation starters. Brad Penny has been a competent starter for the Red Sox and should continue to be as long as he stays healthy. Unfortunately this will do nothing to release Clay Buchholz and Michael Bowden from their minor league purgatory.

Dice-K owners should thank their lucky stars that they won't be punished with his poor statistics for a while. I would not drop Matsuzaka if you have the ability to stash him in your reserves. Dice-K is a very talented pitcher and when he is "on" he is an asset to a fantasy team.

Statistics Courtesy of FanGraphs.com

Season	Team	K/9	BB/9	HR/9	AVG	WHIP	BABIP	LOB%	FIP
1999	Lions (NPB)	7.55	4.35	0.70	0.196	1.17	0.236	82.20%	4.12
2000	Lions (NPB)	7.73	5.10	0.64	0.218	1.35	0.267	68.20%	4.18
2001	Lions (NPB)	8.01	4.38	1.01	0.214	1.25	0.253	75.60%	4.44
2002	Lions (NPB)	9.57	1.84	1.60	0.225	1.02	0.267	81.50%	4.28
2003	Lions (NPB)	9.97	2.92	0.60	0.232	1.18	0.314	75.90%	2.97
2004	Lions (NPB)	7.83	2.59	0.43	0.286	1.42	0.357	80.20%	3.07
2005	Lions (NPB)	9.46	2.05	0.54	0.221	1.03	0.295	78.90%	2.71
2006	Lions (NPB)	9.66	1.64	0.63	0.208	0.92	0.277	79.70%	2.56
2007	Red Sox	8.84	3.52	1.10	0.249	1.32	0.306	73.90%	4.23
2007	Red Sox	7.78	3.66	0.46	0.284	1.53	0.353	67.60%	3.54
2008	Red Sox (AAA)	9.00	1.80	0.00	0.221	1.00	0.305	60.00%	1.80
2008	Red Sox	8.27	5.05	0.64	0.213	1.32	0.267	80.60%	4.03
2008	Red Sox	9.00	5.06	1.69	0.274	1.63	0.325	82.60%	5.26
2009	Red Sox (AAA)	10.80	3.86	0.00	0.215	1.20	0.323	86.70%	2.34
2009	Red Sox	8.74	4.63	2.06	0.374	2.20	0.441	68.90%	5.72

John Smoltz Noise

According to an article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution, free agent right-hander John Smoltz is now throwing which puts him ahead of schedule in his rehab. I admit to having an irrational love for John Smoltz. He will always be one of my favorites --even when drafting him is extremely risky.

"Roger was impressed, and John’s on Cloud 9. No pain at all. None. Zero pain. Man, he’s way ahead of schedule.”

Smoltz, citing a desire to focus his energy on a rehabilitation and workout regimen, has declined most media requests for offseason progress reports. However, he eased the moratorium long enough to confirm that Friday’s session went well, and concurred with Cox’s optimistic view of his comeback.

“Every thing [is progressing], every day,” said Smoltz, who seemed as confident as Cox of his return. “I can’t say I felt that way the day after surgery. But as time has gone by, I certainly have grown in my confidence.”

Smoltz and left-hander Tom Glavine are fortysomething free agents trying to rebound from surgeries (Glavine, elbow and shoulder).

Braves general manager Frank Wren said he can’t count on either to make it back in 2009, but hopes to offer both of them contracts if and when they get to the point in their throwing programs where it seems like they would be ready to pitch.

Glavine was encouraged by long-toss sessions Wednesday and Friday, the 305-game winner’s first times throwing since Aug. 21 procedures to repair a torn flexor tendon and clean out his shoulder.

He’s also ahead of schedule in his throwing program, but not yet far enough for such optimism as Smoltz provided Friday.

Smoltz, the only pitcher with 200 wins and 150 saves, would likely be elected to the Hall of Fame if he never pitched another inning.