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Dice-K to Start Season Opener in Japan

For a while, it seemed he would never make it, but Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka will be making the trip to Japan after the birth of his son. Now, Terry Francona has named Dice-K as the Opening Day starter when the A’s and Sox square off March 25 in Japan.

Jon Lester is slated to start Game 2 of the season, also to be played in Japan. Clay Buchholz and Tim Wakefield will start the two exhibition games the Red Sox will play in Japan.

Red Sox ace Josh Beckett will not attend Japan as previously reported, but may get some in-game action before the Sox return to play regular season baseball in the U.S. It’s being reported that Beckett could either play in the remaining Spring Training games after the Japan series or in minor league Spring Training games.

According to Francona, it’s up to Beckett.

“It’s all according to how he feels. To do anything differently would be silly on my part. He’s going to go as fast as he can, we know that.”

About KC Downey

KC is the "head coach" of the Sports of Boston, LLC blog network. Follow him on Twitter: @kc_downey

Tags: Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Josh Beckett, Oakland Athletics, Terry Francona