The waiting began yesterday for teams that bid for Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka.

His Japanese club, the Pacific League's Seibu Lions, was expected to announce as early as today whether it will accept the high bid for the 26-year-old right-hander.

The Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs and Rangers were thought to be among the teams that bid for Matsuzaka, but the commissioner's office instructed teams not to comment publicly, several clubs said.

The Yankees' involvement was confirmed by a baseball official who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the directive. Prior to the directive, the Rangers had said they planned to bid.

The major-league commissioner's office, which opened the bidding last Thursday, informed the Japanese commissioner's office of the amount of the highest bid, but not the club that made the offer. The team and the amount will be revealed only if the Lions accept the offer.

Seibu has until Tuesday to make its decision.

Once an offer is accepted, the major league team has 30 days to agree to a contract with Matsuzaka, who is represented by agent Scott Boras. The bid is paid only if a contract is agreed upon.

Matsuzaka, MVP of the World Baseball Classic in March, was 17-5 with a 2.13 E.R.A. and 200 strikeouts for the Lions this year. He throws in the high-90s (mph), has good off-speed pitches and is known for his deceptive "gyroball."

Bidding closes tomorrow for Akinori Iwamura, a third baseman with the Central League's Yakult Swallows.

ROUNDUP INDIANS TRADE FOR BARFIELD: The Indians acquired second baseman Josh Barfield from the Padres yesterday for infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff, Cleveland's minor-league player of the year, and right-hander Andrew Brown. Barfield, 23, played 150 games as a rookie last season.

PERRY JOINS CUBS: Gerald Perry, a former Pawtucket Red Sox hitting instructor, was named hitting coach of the Cubs yesterday. He rejoins Chicago manager Lou Piniella, whom he worked as hitting coach with in Seattle from 2000-02 when Piniella managed there.

STAYING PUT: Reserve infielder Ramon Martinez has re-signed with the Dodgers, passing up a chance to test the free-agent market. Martinez, who had filed for free agency, agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract that includes a club option for 2008.

BUCS PURSUE CUBAN DEFECTOR: The Pirates are interested in signing former Cuban Olympic right-hander Yuslan Herrera to a three-year contract, but any deal looks to be at least several weeks away.

RANGERS HIRE HOWE: Art Howe has been hired as bench coach by new Texas manager Ron Washington, who served on Howe's coaching staff when Howe managed the A's.

MAJOR LEAGUERS COMPLETE SWEEP: Jose Reyes hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the 10th inning yesterday to give the MLB All-Stars a 5-3 victory over the Japan stars in Fukuoka, Japan, and a sweep of the five-game series.