"Daisuke Matsuzaka has thrown his last pitch for the Red Sox this season. Perhaps forever.

Multiple major league sources said yesterday that the righthander has decided to undergo reconstructive surgery on his elbow, a decision that could bring to an end his tumultuous career in Boston.

The Red Sox plan to review the matter one more time with the doctors involved before giving their approval. But Matsuzaka already has tentative plans to travel to California next week for the surgery, which will be performed by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

Matsuzaka has a torn ulnar collateral ligament and will undergo what is known as Tommy John surgery. In what has become a common procedure in baseball, a tendon taken from the patient's opposite forearm, hamstring, or knee replaces the torn UCL.

Most pitchers typically take 12-14 months to recover from the surgery. In theory, Matsuzaka could return to the Red Sox for the second half of next season.

But outside forces could affect that timetable. Matsuzaka's contract expires at the end of the 2012 season and he could drag out his return to make a fresh start with a new team in 2013 rather than pitch and risk damaging whatever value he has as a free agent. Agent Scott Boras will no doubt influence his decision."