TAMPA, Fla. — Japanese right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka will start the Boston Red Sox's regular-season opener against the Oakland Athletics in Toyko on March 25.

"I think that will be a ton of excitement," Boston manager Terry Francona said before Monday's exhibition game against the New York Yankees. "I know he's honored."

John Lester will pitch the second game of the two-game series with the Athletics in Japan on March 26.

Clay Buchholz and Tim Wakefield will be on the hill for exhibition games in Japan prior to the regular-season contests.

Matsuzaka was scheduled to return to camp Monday after missing the previous two days following the birth of his son Saturday.