FORT MYERS, Fla. — Daisuke Matsuzaka probably won't fly to Tokyo with his teammates because his wife's due date is 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 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.

Matsuzaka's rookie season with Boston last year was a major story in Japan, where he had pitched professionally for eight seasons. He signed a $52 million, six-year contract after Boston paid $51.1 million for the right to negotiate with him.

He went 15-12 with a 4.40 ERA then was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of Boston's four-game sweep of Colorado in the World Series.