Matsuzaka to start Red Sox game in Japan

TAMPA, Fla., March 17 (UPI) -- Daisuke Matsuzaka will be the opening day pitcher of the Boston Red Sox when they begin the 2008 season in his native Japan, the team said Monday.

Matsuzaka was given the assignment after Boston ace Josh Beckett was withheld from the Japanese trip because of back problems. Red Sox Manager Terry Francona also said Jon Lester would start the second game in Japan.

Boston opens defense of its 2007 World Series title with games March 25 and March 26 in Tokyo against the Oakland Athletics. The Athletics haven't announced their starters.

Matsuzaka is in his second season with the Red Sox after becoming a legendary pitcher in his native Japan. He was 15-12 with a 4.40 earned run average last year. In eight seasons in the Japanese Pacific League, Matsuzaka was 108-60 with a 2.95 ERA with 1,355 strikeouts over 204 games.