Boston will play exhibition games March 22 and 23 against Japanese teams then has regular-season games 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.

A-Rod's shoulder ailing

Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez has a sore right shoulder and is expected to be limited to designated hitter until early next week.

Rodriguez said he felt discomfort Thursday and the shoulder bothers him when he throws.

''Just a little bit,'' Rodriguez said before New York's 9-5 loss to Houston on Friday. ''I certainly wouldn't miss a game during the regular season, or have to DH. But I think right now, it's just being smart.''

Rodriguez, who went 1-for-2 with a double against the Astros, took part in all drills Friday except the 10-minute throwing session.

''I probably won't throw for a couple days,'' Rodriguez said. ''The swing is good.''

New York manager Joe Girardi thinks A-Rod might play in the field Monday.

Around the horn

Mets: Pedro Martinez threw 53 pitches in a simulated game Friday, one day after his first scheduled spring start for the New York Mets was rained out.

The three-time Cy Young Award winner said he felt sluggish, especially at the start of his early morning session. He threw the equivalent of two innings and got only two swinging strikes, but declared himself on schedule for the start of the season.

Braves: Oft-injured pitcher Mike Hampton of the Atlanta Braves left his spring training start Friday because of a strained right groin.

Hampton, who hasn't pitched in a major league game since August 2005, made it to the second inning of his second outing this spring before getting hurt.