"Daisuke Matsuzaka returned home to Japan, in part to seek traditional treatment options and remedies for the damaged ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow.

Manager Terry Francona said yesterday that Matsuzaka is "feeling better daily."

Nevertheless, Matsuzaka still intends to seek the opinion of Dr. Lewis Yocum in Los Angeles tomorrow before rejoining the Red Sox. Yocum is among the foremost experts in treating elbow injuries in pitchers. The Red Sox medical staff, led by Dr. Tom Gill, has diagnosed that Matsuzaka can manage the injury through rest and rehabilitation."