"The evolution of Daisuke Matsuzaka continues.

With a new translator and a new pitching coach, Matsuzaka is getting a new perspective on things this year. And after consulting with the latter, Curt Young, he is ready to change his much-discussed routine between starts to reflect more of an American approach.

At the risk of getting too esoteric, Matsuzaka's Japanese routine, based on starting once every six days, called for him to long toss one day and throw a side session the next.

However, with big leaguers pitching every five days, Matsuzaka was forced to long toss and throw his side on the same day.

Young thought this was too much, and after a series of discussions with Matsuzaka and manager Terry Francona, he convinced him to push his side session back and try throwing them on different days.

"He and Curt had been talking about throwing his side a day later," Francona said. "With what Dice has been doing over the course of his career, in Japan, they had the extra day. So he'd have long toss, side. Here he's been doing it on the same day. He's always done it. He was adamant he would do it. Curt's trying to get him where he doesn't do it on the same day. We asked him, 'Hey, just try it.' That's what we're attempting to do."

The hope is that the tweak will decrease wear and tear on the fanatically hard-working right-hander."