In his first start in nearly a month, Boston Red Sox ace Daisuke Matsuzaka (8-1) was terrible in his return, retiring only three of the 12 batters he face in his one inning of work.  It was the shortest outing of his brief career. He was placed on the DL on May 30 because of a mild rotator cuff strain, was charged with seven runs.

Matsuzaka’s 8-0 record was the longest unbeaten start in the league this season and his nine-game winning streak dating back to last September was the best ever by a Japanese-born pitcher in majors. Matsuzaka, who last lost at Fenway on Aug. 15, saw those streaks instantly obliterated.

Owners that have been waiting patiently for Dice-K to return were left terribly disappointed. The worries aren't over either. Matsuzaka's velocity was down (88-90 mph, peaking at 91) and he no command of any of his vast array pitches.

Matsuzaka, who worked five solid innings for Triple-A Pawtucket in Allentown, Pa., last Monday (three hits, two runs), made no excuses.

“I can’t think of anything that was good,” he told the Boston Herald through a translator. “Things were mostly bad today. I just hope I can get back to a good spot as we go forward and when I get my next chance to start, I hope to do better.”

His next scheduled start comes at Houston on Friday and owners may want to consider other options if possible, keeping the right-hander on the bench. When healthy, Matsuzaka is a fantasy ace.