Games from May 22:

Texas Rangers 3 - Seattle Mariners 1
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-4: single to right, fly out to left, ground out to second (force), single to center. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Minnesota Twins 9 - Chicago White Sox 2
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a defensive replacement in right in the top of the 8th.   He did get one at bat in the bottom of the 9th: he grounded out to the pitcher. [Nikkan Sports]

San Francisco Giants 6 - Milwaukee Brewers 4
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in right and batted first.  He went 2-for-4: triple to right, strikeout swinging, ground out to third, RBI double to right (run scored), walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Charlotte 5 - Durham 2 (AAA)
Hideki Matsui (DUR) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 0-for-4: ground out to first, fly out to center, fly out to right, strikeout swinging. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Pawtucket 5 - Norfolk 3 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the bottom of the 6th and gave up a run (unearned) over two innings of work.  He got the win and is now 1-1 on the year.  Tazawa also recorded his second blown save of the year.  Final line: 2 IP, 28-20 NP-S, 9 BF, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Gwinnett 3 - Rochester 1 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted eighth.  He went 0-for-2: pop out to the catcher in foul territory, walk, ground out to short. [Nikkan Sports]

===

The latest on Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS), from CBSSports.com:

Matsuzaka shifted to 60-day DL: Boston starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka was transferred to the 60-day disabled list Tuesday as he continues to recover from Tommy John surgery. Matsuzaka was recently shut down from his minor-league rehab assignment after developing pain in his neck that restricted his movement when he pitched. He reportedly had a cortisone injection on Sunday. Matsuzaka's move cleared an additional spot on the 40-man roster. 

===

Yu Darvish's (TEX) next start will come against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 27.

Games from May 20:

Seattle Mariners 6 - Colorado Rockies 4
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-4: strikeout swinging, double to right (run scored), fly out to center, GIDP.  The double was Ichiro's 500th of his career (NPB+MLB). [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Chicago White Sox 6 - Chicago Cubs 0
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started the game in right and batted sixth.  He went 1-for-4: infield single (advanced to second on throwing error by pitcher), ground out to the catcher, ground out to the catcher, strikeout swinging. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

San Diego Padres 3 - LA Angels 2
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the bottom of the 10th, with the scored tied at two, and retired the first two batters he faced before putting the next two on and leaving with runners on first and second and two out.  Final line: 0.2 IP, 13-6 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 16 - Minnesota Twins 4
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Ryan Braun in the bottom of the 7th inning and hit an RBI infield single.  He then came around to score on a grand slam by Jonathan Lucroy.  Aoki took over in left in the top of the 8th. [Nikkan Sports]

Washington Nationals 9 - Baltimore Orioles 3
Wei-Ying Chen (BAL) started the game and gave up six runs (all earned) over 4.1 innings of work.  He took the loss and is now 4-1.  Final line: 4.1 IP, 92-58 NP-S, 23 BF, 8 H, 6 R, 6 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, 2 HR. [Sponichi]

Durham 6 - Charlotte 0 (AAA)
Hideki Matsui (DUR) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 1-for-3: sac fly to left, single to right (run scored), strikeout looking, fly out to left. [Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports, Sponichi, Sponichi]

Las Vegas 5 - Memphis 2 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 8th and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 15-10 NP-S, 4 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) will miss his next rehab start on May 22 because of tightness that extends from the right side of his neck to his back.  A little more from the Boston Globe's Peter Abraham:

The righthander, whose minor league rehabilitation assignment was due to end on Wednesday, has been shut down because of pain in his right trapezius muscle. Matsuzaka received an injection in the area.

"That's been nagging him for quite a while and we've got to make sure that that's 100 percent before he's going out there again," manager Bobby Valentine said. "I talked to him [Saturday] about it being sore. He said he would maybe pitch through it. They examined him and didn't think it was wise."

And some more from ESPN's Gordon Edes:

The Red Sox have recalled Matsuzaka from his rehab assignment, and he remains on the 15-day disabled list. But he cannot begin a new rehab assignment until seven days after he was "returned from rehab," which the Red Sox did on Saturday.

Major League Baseball must approve any new rehab assignment, which is expected to be a formality, given the injury. As with any rehab assignment, Matsuzaka must give his approval, another expected formality.

===

A brief bit on Tsuyoshi Nishioka (MIN) from the Star Tribune's La Velle E. Neal III:

It's true. Tsuyoshi Nishioka homered yesterday for Class AAA Rochester, and manager Ron Gardenhire said he's getting favorable reports on Nishi's play of late.

Games from May 15, 2012:

Boston Red Sox 5 - Seattle Mariners 0 [Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 2-for-4: fly out to center, single to center, infield single (stole second and third), ground out to first. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) started at short and batted ninth.  He went 0-for-3: strikeout swinging, fly out to center, ground out to second. [Sponichi]

Kansas City Royals 7 - Texas Rangers 4
Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the top of the 8th, with the Rangers down 7-3, and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 10-8 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 8 - New York Mets 0
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted first.  He went 2-for-5: ground out to short, ground out to first, infield single, fly out to center, single to left (deflected by shortstop)  [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi, Daily Sports]

Baltimore Orioles 5 - New York Yankees 2
Wei-Ying Chen (BAL) started the game and allowed two runs on four hits over seven innings of work.  Final line: 7 IP, 105-65 NP-S, 26 BF, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 1 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Pawtucket 8 - Durham 2 (AAA)
Hideki Matsui (DUR) was the starting DH and batted fourth.  He went 0-for-4: strikeout swinging, fly out to right, ground out to second, ground out to first. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Rochester 5 - Louisville 4 (AAA)
Tsuyoshi Nishioka (ROC) started at second and batted eighth.  He went 1-for-2: fly out to right, sac fly to center, single to left, intentional walk. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

===

Takashi Saito (ARI) was cleared to toss a bullpen session on Tuesday -- he threw twenty-one pitches, including off-speed pitches.  Saito is scheduled to toss another bullpen session on May 18.

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) took some batting practice during workouts on Tuesday.  He also played some light catch in the outfield and did some sprints.

Games from May 13:

Seattle Mariners 6 - New York Yankees 2
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-5: GIDP, ground out to second, ground out to second, double to left, pop out to second. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Kansas City Royals 9 - Chicago White Sox 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Dayan Viciedo in the bottom of the 8th and struck out swinging.  He remained in the game and took over in left in the top of the 9th. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Texas Rangers 13 - LA Angels 6
Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the top of the 7th with the bases loaded, two out, and the Rangers up 10-5.  Uehara got the first batter he faced, Howard Kendrick, to ground into a force to get out of the inning.  He also tossed a shutout 8th.  Final line: 1.1 IP, 20-15 NP-S, 5 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports, Sponichi]

Chicago Cubs 8 - Milwaukee Brewers 2
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted first.  He went 2-for-4: single to center, triple to right, walk (caught stealing second), ground out to second (reach on FC), fly out to center. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) will be heading to Triple-A on Tuesday.

===

Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) threw thirty-six pitches in the bullpen on Sunday in preparation for his next start against the Toronto Blue Jays on May 16.

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) will get two more rehab starts at Triple-A Pawtucket before he makes it back to the MLB roster.  From ESPN's Joe McDonald:

Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka will make two more minor league rehab starts for Triple-A Pawtucket before being called up to Boston's starting rotation.

The right-hander is scheduled to start for the PawSox on May 17 and May 22 before his rehab assignment expires on May 23. Matsuzaka made his fourth minor league start on Saturday in Pawtucket, working 5 1/3 innings. He allowed five runs on seven hits, including two home runs, with one walk and five strikeouts. He threw 90 pitches, 54 for strikes.

Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine watched the game tape of Matsuzaka's outing and it was clear to the manager that Matsuzaka needs some more time.

"I didn't think he was as good as he should be," Valentine admitted. "His mechanics weren't very good at all. But he's throwing pain-free, so that's good." 

===

Norichika Aoki's (MIL) wife and daughter arrived in the US on May 10.  His mother was in the stands on Mother's Day.

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) wore a pink sweatband on his left wrist during workouts on Sunday.

Games from May 9:

Seattle Mariners 2 - Detroit Tigers 1
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-3: strikeout swinging, single to center (stole second, run scored), fly out to left. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Chicago White Sox 8 - Cleveland Indians 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Adam Dunn in the top of the 9th and struck out swinging. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cincinnati Reds 2 - Milwaukee Brewers 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Taylor Green in the bottom of the 9th and hit a single  to left. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Pawtucket 5 - Rochester 2 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the top of the 8th and retired all three batters he faced.  Final line: 1 IP, 10-7 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 2 - Oklahoma City 1 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the bottom of the 10th and retired the side in order for his third save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 17-10 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) wore a double ear flap batting helmet during batting practice on Tuesday.  For Matsui, the double ear flap batting helmet was apparently a first time since elementary school.

On Wednesday, Matsui played in a minor league practice game against the Minnesota Twins and went 2-for-4 with a walk and one RBI: infield single, single to center, walk, ground out to second, ground out to second.

Matsui is scheduled to DH in Thursday's game and could get a start in left on Friday.

If Matsui gets called up to the Majors, his salary will be about US$900,000 (~72M yen).  From the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin:

The Times obtained some details on Hideki Matsui's contract, and the Rays got somewhat of a bargain: If called up to the majors, Matsui will make a salary of about $900,000, well below his previous earnings (he made $4.25-million last season with Oakland, his lowest of his career). While at Triple-A Durham, he will make $10,000 a month, low for a veteran in the minors. He has an interpreter and manager/PR man that also get paid.

===

Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) could get his first regular season MLB start on April 13 (vs NYY).

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) threw thirty-one pitches in the bullpen.  Partway through the session, a staff member also stood in the batter's box (both sides).

Games from May 8:

Detroit Tigers 6 - Seattle Mariners 4
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batetd third.  He went 1-for-4: pop out to second, RBI single to right (run scored), fly out to left, fly out to second, IBB. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Chicago White Sox 5 - Cleveland Indians 3
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Dayan Viciedo in the top of the 10th inning and flied out to center.  Fukudome took over in left in the bottom of the 10th. [Nikkan Sports]

Minnesota Twins 4 - LA Angels 0
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th (runner on first, two out, and the Angels down 4-0) and got Joe Mauer to ground out to second to end the inning.  Final line: 0.1 IP, 3-1 NP-S, 1 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Texas Rangers 10 - Baltimore Orioles 3
Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the game in the bottom of the 7th inning (Rangers up 8-1) and tossed a shutout inning in relief.  Final line: 1 IP, 15-11 NP-S, 4 BF, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Nikkan Sports]

Milwaukee Brewers 8 - Cincinnati Reds 3
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a defensive replacement in left in the top of the 9th inning. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Round Rock 11 - Salt Lake 9
Yoshinori Tateyama (RRE) entered the game in the bottom of the 8th and gave up three runs (none earned) over an inning of work.  Final line: 1 IP, 24-17 NP-S, 6 BF, 2 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 1 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Ichiro Suzuki, Munenori Kawasaki, and Hisashi Iwakuma visited an elementary school on Tuesday as part of the Seattle Mariners D.R.E.A.M. program.

===

Kosuke Fukudome's (CWS) single to center in the 7th inning of Monday's game against the Cleveland Indians (Game 1) was the 7,000th hit collected by a Japanese player.  Masanori Murakami collected the first hit on June 29, 1965.

Japanese players are also three homers away from 500.

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) wore the number fifty-five during practice on Tuesday.  During situational batting practice, Matsui was the starting DH and batted third -- he collected a two-run double to right-center in his first at bat, grounded out to first in his second at bat, and flied out to center in his third at bat.

Matsui faced Bryan Augenstein during batting practice on Monday and collected two hits (eight swings) on fourteen pitches.

===

WEEI's Alex Speier provides the following update on Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS):

While Matsuzaka reported no problems in the neck issue that delayed his latest outing by a few days, he acknowledged that his rebuilt elbow varies on a day-to-day basis. That being the case, he did not exude certainty about whether he might be ready to return to the majors with another couple of starts.

"Overall, my body feels good, so that's fine, but my elbow, depending on the day — some days it feels better than others. Right now, I'm hoping when I start, it hits the day I'm feeling good," he told reporters. "Regarding being ready in two more games, it's hard to say because it's a step-by-step process, a game-by-game process. I'll just go see how I pitch my next outing and see how that goes and see where I stand then."

===

Tomochika Tsuboi will continue his playing career with the San Rafael Pacifics (North American Baseball League).  Tsuboi will head to the States last this month.

Games from May 7:

Seattle Mariners 3 - Detroit Tigers 2 [Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-3: double to right, line out to short, pop out to second, walk (run scored). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) entered the game as a pinch-runner for Jesus Montero in the bottom of the 9th and came around to score the walk-off run. [Nikkan Sports]

Hisashi Iwakuma (SEA) entered the game in the top of the 4th, with Seattle down 1-0, and allowed a run over three innings of work.  Final line: 3 IP, 48-35 NP-S, 12 BF, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 8 - Chicago White Sox 6 (Game 1)
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in left and batted eighth.  He went 1-for-2: ground out to short, sac fly to left, single to center.  Fukudome was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the 9th. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 3 - Chicago White Sox 2 (Game 2)
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in left and batted sixth.  He went 0-for-3: strikeout swinging, ground out to second, ground out to second.  Fukudome was replaced by a pinch-hitter in the top of the 9th. [Sponichi]

LA Angels 8 - Minnesota Twins 3
Hisanori Takahashi (LAA) entered the game in the 7th, with the Angels up 5-1, and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 9-7 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cincinnati Reds 6 - Milwaukee Brewers 1
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted first.  He went 0-for-4: fly out to left, ground out to first, strikeout looking, fly out to right. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Pawtucket 4 - Rochester 0 (AAA)
Daisuke Matsuzaka (PAW) started the game and did not allow a run over 4.2 innings of work.  He topped out at 92mph (~148km/h).  FInal line: 4.2 IP, 87-49 NP-S, 20 BF, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Daily Sports, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 7 - Salt Lake 6 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 8th and retired the side in order.  He got the win and is now 1-1 on the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 16-12 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui's (TBR) workouts on Monday included fielding practice in left, base-running, and batting practice (fourteen pitches, eight swings).

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka (BOS) could return to the Majors for a start against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 17, which would be ten days ahead of schedule.

===

Tsuyoshi Nishioka (MIN) might be able to play in his first rehab game some time this week.

===

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) caught Kevin Millwood's bullpen session on Sunday (about fifteen minutes, worked signs in partway through).

===

Tsuyoshi Wada (BAL) was shifted over to the sixty-day DL.

===

Yu Darvish (TEX) kept his workouts on Monday light (running, playing catch).  His next start will likely come against the LA Angels on May 11.

Games from May 6:

Seattle Mariners 5 - Minnesota Twins 2
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 0-for-2: ground out to first, walk, fly out to center, walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Detroit Tigers 3 - Chicago White Sox 1
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Brent Morel in the top of the 9th inning and walked. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

San Francisco Giants 4 - Milwaukee Brewers 3
Norichika Aoki (MIL) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Manny Parra in the top of the 9th inning and grounded out to first.  He did not remain in the game after the inning. [Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 4 - Texas Rangers 2
Yu Darvish (TEX) started the game and gave up four runs (three earned) on six hits over six innings of work.  Darvish took the loss and is now 4-1 on the year.  Final line: 6 IP, 112-63 NP-S, 28 BF, 6 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 11 SO, 1 HR. [Sponichi, Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Koji Uehara (TEX) entered the game in the 8th inning, with the Rangers down 4-2, and retired the side in order.  Final line: 1 IP, 15-10 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Pawtucket 7 - Scranton/WB 5 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (PAW) entered the game in the bottom of the 7th and gave up two runs (both earned) over two innings of work.  Final line: 2 IP, 42-25 NP-S, 11 BF, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 SO, 0 HR. [Sanspo]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) is scheduled to play a minor league practice game agaisnt the Minnesota Twins on May 9.

===

There is still no timetable on Takashi Saito's (ARI) return.  He did start throwing off flat ground at the Scottsdale, AZ facilities, but his right calf is still at only about sixty percent.

Games from May 5:

Seattle Mariners 7 - Minnesota Twins 0
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-2: walk, GIDP, walk (run scored), two-run triple to right (run scored). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports, Daily Sports]

Kansas City Royals 3 - New York Yankees 1
Hiroki Kuroda (NYY) started the game and gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits over 4.1 innings of work.  He took the loss and dropped to 2-4.  Final line: 4.1 IP, 91-54 NP-S, 23 BF, 6 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 2 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Chicago White Sox 3 - Detroit Tigers 2
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) entered the game as a pinch-hitter for Dayan Viciedo in the top of the 8th.  He went 0-for-1: ground out to second.  Fukudome remained in the game and took over in left in the bottom of the 8th. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

San Francisco Giants 5 - Milwaukee Brewers 2
Norichika Aoki (MIL) started in center and batted first.  He went 0-for-5: fly out to center, fly out to center, fly out to left, fly out to right, ground out to short (force). [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Las Vegas 4 - Salt Lake 2 (AAA)
Ryota Igarashi (LV) entered the game in the top of the 9th and retired the side in order for his second save of the year.  Final line: 1 IP, 10-6 NP-S, 3 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) faced minor league pitchers during live batting practice on Saturday for the first time since September 28, 2011.  He ended up going 3-for-9 (he faced Zachary Quate and Alex Colome; saw a total thirty-one pitches and swung the bat fourteen times).

Matsui was slated to play in his first game on May 7, but it seems that has been pushed back a day until at least May 8.  The top priority for the team is to make sure Matsui is 100% when they call him up.

Matsui also started taking fielding practice on Friday at about full-speed.

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka's (BOS) next start has been delayed to neck pains.  NESN's Didier Morais posted the following update:

"He had a little neck issue that we wanted to make sure felt perfect before he threw a 'pen again," Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said. "So we kept pushing the 'pen back."

The pain resides on the left side of Matsuzaka's neck, which affects his pitching mechanics out of the stretch. If Matsuzaka pitches a clean bullpen session on either Friday or Saturday, he could be poised to start for Pawtucket on Monday.

Games from May 3:

Tampa Bay Rays 4 - Seattle Mariners 3 [Daily Sports, Daily Sports]
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) started in right and batted third.  He went 1-for-4: line out to right, ground out to short, RBI double to right, ground out to short. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Munenori Kawasaki (SEA) started at short and batted ninth.  He went 1-for-3: bunt single, fly out to center, ground out to second. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Cleveland Indians 7 - Chicago White Sox 5
Kosuke Fukudome (CWS) started in left and batted seventh.  He went 0-for-1: line out to short, walk (run scored), walk, walk. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

Toledo 6 - Pawtucket 4 (AAA)
Junichi Tazawa (BOS) entered the game with a runner on second and two out in the bottom of the 6th.  Tazawa retired all seven of the batters he faced over 2.1 innings of work.  Final line: 2.1 IP, 31-22 NP-S, 7 BF, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 SO, 0 HR. [Sponichi, Nikkan Sports]

===

Hideki Matsui (TBR) took forty swings during batting practice on Thursday and hit seven over the fence (on his first day of workouts on Wednesday, he took thirty-four swings and hit none over the fence).  He also took twenty swings against a pitching machine and hit five over the fence.

Matsui is slated to wear the number fifty-five, at least during extended spring training and most likely during his stint at Triple-A.

Nikkan Sports mentions that the Rays may give Matsui six to ten plate at bats a day during practice games next week.  And Sasnpo notes his schedule could look something like this: situational batting practice against Double-A pitchers on May 5, five or so at bats during a practice game on May 7, addition of defense on May 8.

===

Daisuke Matsuzaka's (BOS) Triple-A rehab game start on Friday was pushed back to May 7 because of weather conditions (forecast calls for rain).