This is kind of old news, but in case you haven’t heard, Dice-K developed “neck pain” earlier this week that was going to bump him to the DL, and force him to miss the beginning of the regular season.

I was immediately ready to jump into another anti-Dice tirade. I don’t like his style of play, and I definitely don’t think he’s worth the money the Sox paid to get him. Regardless, he came back at the end of the 2009 season after 3 months off to pitch in a very solid, non-Dice K type manner.

But the news of “neck pain” was right up there with last year’s “arm fatigue”. And I got the following text from Dave to further raise my blood pressure:

Dice K’s superior Japanese neck has issues. He’s a Toyota recall. Go Rays.

It’s this kind of talk that makes you wonder why you have friends in the first place. If the boys are good for anything, it’s to kick you when you’re down.

But the Red Sox Dirt Dawg talked me out of it.

The real news isn’t that Dice is having more injury problems. In fact, I think it’s doubtful his discomfort was anything more serious than a bad night’s sleep in an uncomfortable position. Especially after reading Boston.com’s article on his BP throwing session today. He threw 54 pitches and will throw in the bullpen tomorrow, followed by two minor league innings, and then his first spring training game.

The real news is that the starting rotation for the beginning of the season is now solidified as Beckett, Lester, Lackey, Buchholz and Wakefield.

These things always have a way of working themselves out, says the Dirt Dawg, and he’s right once again. The impending problem of one starter too many has been solved by Matsuzaka’s injuries. And I’m not saying the reports of his neck soreness were made up, but I feel safe saying the severity of the injury was exaggerated.

Why?

Last year, Wakefield was a monster on the mound before the All-Star Break. In 2009, he was 11-3, the most wins in the MLB for a pitcher before the break. He was the only Boston pitcher who wasn’t struggling. The other starters were crumbling around him. But his season more or less ended there. He had injuries to his lower back and calf, and the back injury required surgery. He wouldn’t pitch again until August 26. He finished the season 11-5.

For the 2010 season, it’s safe to assume Wake won’t last the whole year. He’s had a hard time staying healthy in the second half of the season since ’04. By starting Dice later than the other pitchers, he is ready to slide into the hole left by an injured pitcher… whoever it is, without letting his arm go to waste in the bullpen.

It’s a long season, and I think the “sore neck” story is a good way to make sure we have the horses to go the whole distance.

Wakefield will attempt to break the most wins by a Red Sox pitcher this season. The current record is held by Roger Clemens and Cy Young… tied at 192. Wakefield is at 175.

Recall that, Dave.