TAMPA, Fla. — Japanese sensation Daisuke Matsuzaka has been given the nod.

The Red Sox pitcher will be given the ball on Opening Day when Boston faces the Oakland Athletics in the Ricoh Japan Major League Opening Series in Tokyo.

Matsuzaka returned to camp yesterday after spending time with his family for the birth of his second child on Saturday. The right-hander threw a 58-pitch side session yesterday morning at the team’s spring-training facility in Fort Myers.

Dice-K will pitch the opener and Jon Lester will work the second regular-season game against the A’s in Japan. Tim Wakefield and Clay Buchholz will pitch the exhibition games against Hanshin Tigers and the Yomiuri Giants.

Red Sox manager Terry Francona said the pitchers have known about the plan for about a week, but due to Matsuzaka’s family situation, the announcement was held until yesterday morning.

“Daisuke was prepared to pitch,” said Francona. “He understood with [Josh ] Beckett (back spasms) not being ready, but there are proper ways to do things. He was all set to go. He just wanted to talk to his wife.”

Matsuzaka and fellow Japanese pitcher Hideki Okajima will headline the series. Everyone in the Sox’ clubhouse is anticipating the kind of reception the pitchers will receive, especially Matsuzaka.

“I think there will be a ton of excitement, and he’s very honored,” said Francona. “He understands his responsibility. He’s been unbelievable great with us through this whole thing. Again, he’s being very protective [with his family], which we respect.”

The Sox were thinking about possible moving Wakefield up in his workouts to pitch in one of the two regular-season games in Japan, but management felt it best to keep him scheduled for the exhibition game. Francona said Wakefield, given his veteran status and success, certainly deserves to start one of the regular-season games.

“We fought that urge just because, when he’s not in our rotation, we’re not as good a team,” said the manager. “We want him to make his 30 starts, and if we do it in the right order where he has time to get ready gives him the best chance to do that.”

Holdzkom, Kottaras, Carter optioned

The Red Sox are allowed to take 30 players (25 active) to Japan. Joining the big club on the trip will be shortstop Jed Lowrie, catcher Dusty Brown and outfielder Brandon Moss. … The Red Sox assigned reliever Lincoln Holdzkom, catcher George Kottaras and utility man Chris Carter to Pawtucket yesterday. … The 11,036 fans at yesterday’s game set a new attendance record at Legends Field. The previous mark of 10,972 was set Sunday against Cleveland. … Buchholz threw four shutout innings in a minor-league game against Indianapolis yesterday.

jmcdonal@projo.com