Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka underwent Tommy John surgery Friday in Los Angeles.
The surgery was performed by specialist Dr. Lewis Yocum.
"Dr. Yocum said he was real pleased with how it went," manager Terry Francona said. "(Matsuzaka's) got another appointment with Dr. Yocum in 10 days and, after that, we'll see if he can start doing some things to get started on his journey back."
And whatever Matsuzaka can get started on, he'll be doing it in Boston.
"(Dice-K) understands, and probably agrees, that he needs to stay in Boston," Francona said. "It's not like he can just go home. Keeping track of things is so important."
Recovery time generally is anywhere from 12-14 months, which means Matsuzaka, who cost the Red Sox $103.1 million in posting fees and salary, could be ready to return for the last two months or so of his six-year contract, which runs through the 2012 season.
Matsuzaka went 3-3 with a 5.30 ERA this season. In his four-plus years with Boston, he was 49-30 with a 4.25 ERA.
Allan Ryan is a frequent contributor to ESPNBoston.com. Information from ESPNBoston.com's Steven Krasner was used in this report.