The "Matsuzaka Plan"

"Theo Epstein said the other day in Chicago that Daisuke Matsuzaka would return to the United States well before spring training and embark on a conditioning program. Via old friend Gaku Tashiro of Sankei Sports, here's a little more information on that:

Matsuzaka is still in the States but will leave soon for Japan. He then plans to return in late December and is likely to take up residence in Arizona and work out at the Athletes' Performance Institute in Phoenix.

"It is not decided that I will be doing that in Arizona. But the facility seems to be an environment where I can really concentrate on my program," Matsuzaka said. "(Dustin) Pedoria was the one that introduced me (Boston.com)."

Good. Dice-K needs to come back in shape and ready to go. It will be good that it seems he will be pitching ONLY for the Sox this year, and he seems committed to the Sox new plan. Hopefully all the fighting between the Sox and Dice-K is over, because the Sox really need him to step up and be their #3 pitcher next season.

Glen Davis Worksout MMA Style

"When Glen Davis walked into the Wai Kru mixed martial arts gym in Allston last month, you can forgive owner and head trainer John Allan for getting excited. Not being a basketball fan, Allan’s feelings had nothing to do with training an NBA player. Instead, Allan saw a massive 6-foot-9 project with the physical tools to become an MMA star.

“Initially I was salivating because I was like, ‘Oh, I have the next big heavyweight star,’ ” Allan said. “It was close to the end of the lesson that someone informed me that I was actually training Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis from the Celtics (Boston Herald).”

I guess this would be a great way to get in shape. Glen is a big guy, and training for an MMA fighter has a lot to do with foot work, so I would suspect that this would help in boxing out and things like that. Anyways, just thought that was a cool way to train.