"As he usually does, Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka checked his e-mail shortly after he woke yesterday. One of his messages contained word of a massive earthquake off the coast of northeast Japan.

His thoughts immediately went to family and friends back home, including his parents.

"I wasn't able to take in exactly what it was. Once I turned on the television and saw what was going on, it was very shocking, very scary to see that,'' Matsuzaka said.

By the time he arrived at City of Palms Park, Matsuzaka had learned his parents were fine. He could not get through to them via telephone, but they exchanged e-mails.

"I contacted my family and a few of my friends, and they all seem to be all right,'' he said. "I haven't been able to get in touch with my grandmother, who lives in Aomori, which is close to where the earthquake was.''"