![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://static01.nyt.com/images/2007/04/27/sports/27redsox.600.1.jpg?year=2007&h=456&w=600&s=e8137372909ea97cf24dd84a5c6cc26ac509c77ec5197a0b15a9c1e7eeb2400e&k=ZQJBKqZ0VN)
Even Closer Scrutiny for the Red Sox's Matsuzaka - The New York Times
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2H94JJP/tokyo-japan-04th-dec-2021-former-boston-red-sox-right-hander-daisuke-matsuzaka-waves-to-fans-during-his-retirement-ceremony-held-at-the-seibu-lions-fan-appreciation-day-at-metlife-dome-in-saitama-prefecture-near-tokyo-on-dec-4-2021-the-41-year-old-seven-time-japanese-golden-glove-winner-ended-his-23-year-baseball-career-when-he-pitched-at-the-dome-for-the-seibu-lions-the-pacific-league-club-where-he-started-his-career-at-age-18-on-oct-19-kyodo==kyodo-photo-via-credit-newscomalamy-live-news-credit-newscomalamy-live-news-2H94JJP.jpg)
Tokyo, Japan. 04th Dec, 2021. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka (L) shakes hands with retired baseball star Ichiro Suzuki at his retirement ceremony held at the Seibu Lions' fan appreciation
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/JNR49W/scottsdale-united-states-japan-pitcher-daisuke-matsuzaka-throws-a-JNR49W.jpg)
Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka throws a ball at Fenway Park, during a tour of Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Dec., 14, 2006, before a news conference to announce his signing with the
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://p.potaufeu.asahi.com/56bc-p/picture/19763652/5f0aed46df885ecc669628a215eeb30c.jpg)
MLB/ Red Sox sign Japanese batting champ Masataka Yoshida The Asahi Shimbun: Breaking News, Japan News and Analysis
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c6/Daisuke_Matsuzaka_on_March_7%2C_2014.jpg)
Daisuke Matsuzaka - Wikipedia
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Tokyo, Japan. 04th Dec, 2021. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka (L) shakes hands with retired baseball star Ichiro Suzuki at his retirement ceremony held at the Seibu Lions' fan appreciation
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2023/03/21/20230321hpe00m0sp009000q/9.jpg?1)
In Photos: Japan beats Mexico 6-5 in World Baseball Classic semifinal[写真特集9/11]- 毎日新聞
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://www.capecodtimes.com/gcdn/authoring/2008/10/09/NCCT/ghows-CC-340d1e24-dfee-4122-b4d0-0b627f558fd9-8f9a6c79.jpeg?width=1200&disable=upscale&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Matsuzaka to open for Red Sox against Rays
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2PC7565/japanese-pitcher-daisuke-matsuzaka-gestures-after-he-throws-a-ball-to-boston-red-sox-principal-owner-john-henry-left-at-fenway-park-during-a-tour-in-boston-thursday-dec-14-2006-before-a-news-conference-to-announce-his-signing-with-the-red-sox-red-sox-general-manager-theo-epstein-is-at-lower-right-ap-photochitose-suzuki-2PC7565.jpg)
Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka throws a ball at Fenway Park, during a tour of Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Dec., 14, 2006, before a news conference to announce his signing with the
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://cdn.mainichi.jp/vol1/2023/03/21/20230321hpe00m0sp009000q/0c10.jpg?1)
In Photos: Japan beats Mexico 6-5 in World Baseball Classic semifinal[写真特集9/11]- 毎日新聞
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2PC522T/japanese-pitcher-daisuke-matsuzaka-throws-out-an-opening-pitch-during-an-exhibition-game-between-his-semiprofessional-ball-club-yokohama-samurai-and-the-ibaraki-golden-golds-at-tokyo-dome-in-tokyo-sunday-jan-7-2007-matsuzaka-joined-the-boston-red-sox-on-dec-14-2006-on-a-six-year-52-million-contract-ap-photoshizuo-kambayashi-2PC522T.jpg)
Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka throws a ball at Fenway Park, during a tour of Fenway Park in Boston, Thursday, Dec., 14, 2006, before a news conference to announce his signing with the
![Tokyo, Japan, March 21, 2023. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka throws out the ceremonial first pitch before the World Baseball Classic semifinal game between Japan and Mexico at loanDepot park](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/2H94JEW/tokyo-japan-04th-dec-2021-former-boston-red-sox-right-hander-daisuke-matsuzaka-bids-farewell-at-his-retirement-ceremony-held-at-the-seibu-lions-fan-appreciation-day-at-metlife-dome-in-saitama-prefecture-near-tokyo-on-dec-4-2021-the-41-year-old-seven-time-japanese-golden-glove-winner-ended-his-23-year-baseball-career-when-he-pitched-at-the-dome-for-the-seibu-lions-the-pacific-league-club-where-he-started-his-career-at-age-18-on-oct-19-kyodo==kyodo-photo-via-credit-newscomalamy-live-news-credit-newscomalamy-live-news-2H94JEW.jpg)
Tokyo, Japan. 04th Dec, 2021. Former Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka (L) shakes hands with retired baseball star Ichiro Suzuki at his retirement ceremony held at the Seibu Lions' fan appreciation