UPDATE: Will Carroll is reporting on Twitter that Matsuzaka will indeed have season-ending Tommy John surgery.
Matsuzaka will have Tommy John surgery. Done for '11, will miss some of '12 as well.
2012 marks the last year of the contract he signed with Boston in December of 2006. This effectively ends his tenure with the team and secures his position as possibly the 2nd worst move in Red Sox history.
Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is leaning towards having Tommy John surgery, according to Yahoo! Sports' Tim Brown. Doctors found a significant tear in his throwing elbow and recommended the procedure.
Matsuzaka went 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA in eight appearances this season, but has not been the same flame throwing right-hander that he was now three years ago. In fact, one could say Dice-K has not had a full season since 2008 when he posted 18 wins.
The surgery for Matsuzaka rules him out for the rest of 2011 and, given his age, most of 2012. Fortunately, the Red Sox have a plethora of quality pitching and should be able to compensate as needed.