CLEVELAND -- Daisuke Matsuzaka's first major step back into the Red Sox rotation went off with no problems on Wednesday.

Matsuzaka threw 47 pitches in a bullpen session Wednesday after throwing loss toss from about 200 feet. The next step for Matsuzaka is to throw another bullpen on Saturday in Tampa. Then the team will decide where he'll go on rehab assignment, which could last for only one start, according to manager Terry Francona.

Matsuzaka, who has been on the disabled list since April 15 with what the Sox have called shoulder soreness, continues to insist he feels fine. Asked through team interpreter Masa Hoshino how his work went, Dice-K said, "It's been a while since I've thrown off of a mound, so there were times when my command wasn't quite there. But on the other hand I felt I could put a lot on the ball. And the shoulder itself feels great."

Matsuzaka said was able to throw all of his pitches and said he's working through this time off with a strong attitude.

"I experienced the D.L. last year as well but that was a specific injury (rotator cuff strain) to the shoulder which I don't have at this time, so it's been less frustrating in comparison," he said. "I have no discomfort when it comes to throwing the ball."

Matsuzaka added that he hopes this time working on his health and strength will pay off the rest of the summer. "I have to utilize this time very effectively so I couldn't rush back," he said. "I had to hold myself back and focus on getting rested up and on my training program. I hope when I look back at the end of the season on this period that I was glad that I took this time."

Justin Masterson has replaced Matsuzaka in the Red Sox rotation and is 2-0 with a 1.69 ERA in two starts. He's thrown so well that Matsuzaka may end up taking another starter's spot. Brad Penny is clearly on the watch list after his awful start Tuesday night where he lasted just 2.2 innings and gave up seven runs (four earned) and seven hits. In his four starts, Penny is 2-0 with a 8.66 ERA and has struck out just 6 hitters in 17.2 innings. Penny will pitch again Sunday in the series finale in Tampa.

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Rocco Baldelli is looking forward to returning to Tampa-St. Pete on Thursday. The Cumberland native spent the first five seasons of his major league career in St. Petersburg and still owns a condo in the area.

"It'll be fun, but it'll be a little different, too. Obviously I wish I was playing," he said.

Baldelli was placed on the D.L. on April 21 because of a sore hamstring. He says he's progressed nicely on this trip to Cleveland, hitting the ball with little pain and also making big strides running. He poked several deep shots out of Progressive Field during batting practice Wednesday.

"I feel pretty good. It's definitely improving," he said. "I ran (Tuesday) in what I would consider running for the first time. It felt good and I came in today and it felt fine. It's definitely gotten dramatically better in the last couple days."

Baldelli said he'd like to be ready to come off the injured list when he's first able to next Wednesday. "That's my goal but I don't know if it's going to happen for sure," he said.

The Pawtucket Red Sox are home at McCoy Stadium from Friday to next Thursday. It would not be a surprise to see Baldelli in the lineup at McCoy sometime during that stretch. If Boston decides Matsuzaka is ready to make a rehab start in Pawtucket at the same time, the PawSox would receive a fabulous early-season present.

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J.D. Drew (left quad) and Kevin Youkilis (side/ribs) were both held out of Wednesday's game. Youkilis was drilled with a pitch by Indians' starter Anthony Reyes in the first inning of Tuesday's game. He was plunked close to the same area in a game last week.

"Youk said something (to trainer Paul Lessard) and when that happens something's up," said Francona. "Paul said the right thing to do is to not play so you have to go with that."

Youkilis is expected to be back in the lineup Thursday night in St. Petersburg. Drew's status seems to be day-to-day. He did not play Monday night but did Tuesday and went 1-for-5 before being replaced in the late innings. Francona said he hoped to play Drew Wednesday because he liked his bat going against Indians' starter Fausto Carmona even though Drew is 0-for-4 in his career against him.

Julio Lugo also sat out in favor of Nick Green. Lugo felt some stiffness around his knee but that was expected. He'll platoon with Green through the Tampa series.

kmcnamar@projo.com