Dice-K to start Red Sox opener in Japan

The Boston Globe reported that manager Terry Francona said Matsuzaka, who left Japan for Boston last season, will start next Tuesday's game with Jon Lester scheduled for the second game on Wednesday.

Matsuzaka's return to Japan was in question with his wife expecting, but she gave birth to a son on Saturday.

Matsuzaka was 15-12 with a 4.40 earned run average in 32 starts last year for the BoSox after signing a six-year contract.

In his eight years in the Japanese Pacific League, Matsuzaka posted a 108-60 record with a 2.95 ERA with 1,355 strikeouts in 204 games with the Seibu Lions.