FORT MYERS, Florida (AP) -- Daisuke Matsuzaka probably won't fly to Tokyo with his teammates because his wife is due to give birth March 19, the date of the flight, but the Red Sox hope he can join them in his native country.

Boston will play exhibition games March 22 and 23 against the Hanshin Tigers and Yomiuri Giants then opens the U.S. Major League Baseball season against Oakland on March 25 and 26. Josh Beckett and Matsuzaka are the Red Sox top two starters.

"I think we're hopeful that (Matsuzaka) will be able to pitch over there," manager Terry Francona said. "If it works (so) he can come over, it'll be good. But he has our blessing to have a baby first."

He also said, "I'd be surprised" if Matsuzaka accompanies the team to Japan.

Copyright 2005-2006 THE MAINICHI NEWSPAPERS. All rights reserved. Mainichi features the best news in Japan, current news in Japan, Japan news in English, Japan business news, Tokyo Japan news, and Japan entertainment news. Mainichi News is syndicated in accordance with editorial regulations: personal and noncommercial purposes.

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