Red Sox manager Terry Francona said that, contrary to reports, starter Daisuke Matsuzaka has been on the shoulder program of assistant trainer Mike Reinold since coming to the Red Sox. Francona suggested that the pitcher has been coachable.

To listen to the complete interview, click here.

On the Red Sox recent stretch of success:

“So much gets as if from week to week, I think we choose to go about things how we do,. When it’s all said and done things we’ll shake out. I know where we are, we just don’t really care.”

On Dustin Pedroia hitting leadoff:

“I actually asked him (whether he was comfortable there). If it was a case that it bothered him, I wouldn’t hit him there, I think it’s just a coincidence. … We just set up the lineup like we think it’s going to work, and then not move them everyday. If they’re good players, it will all shake out.”

On Ellsbury returning to the leadoff spot:

“At some point in his career, that’s out best lineup. There’s no getting around that. For right now, Pedey’s going to get hot here. You can see that coming. J.D.’s been getting on base like crazy. I think it plays to more of the strengths of our lineup. Jacoby is swinging the bat so well that if you have him hitting behind Lowell or David or Tek, it gets those guys more pitches to see because they see Jake sitting back there and he’s swinging the bat well, and he has the ability to use his legs down at the bottom of the order to get himself in scoring position, I like the way it’s working right now.”

On Daisuke Matsuzaka being on a different shoulder program than other pitchers:

“That’s actually not true. All our pitchers are on the shoulder program. That’s the one thing that’s not negotiable for any pitcher. They have to test out shoulder-wise. Otherwise we get concerned. Dice-K you have to explain it to him. He’s a guy who was raised in a different culture. We’ve had to explain it because it’s different from what he’s used to. But to say he hasn’t done the shoulder program I don’t think is correct.”

More on Matuszaka:

“I think there’s been a lot of adjustments that needed to be made. Some we thought he would have to make and some have surprised us…There are a lot of things that have come into play that he’s had to make adjustments since he’s been over here.

“For whatever has happened, he’s managed to win 33 regular season games and three postseason games, which is a lot. Now, this year has been a battle. From the start to now, the WBC has a lot…he ramped up too quick. Now, in any town, as a fan, especially in Boston, when a guy struggles, they want to get rid of him. I don’t think that makes sense. We have a huge investment in this guy. He’s already shown he can be a top-flight pitcher, we’ve got to get him back there. That’s our goal”

On whether he is coachable or headstrong:

“Very, actually. Not very headstrong, but very coachable…He’s a great kid. He has his own opinions. So do we…He’s just not pitching well. When you’re not pitching well, everyone is looking for something…He’s just not getting guys out.”

On Matsuzaka’s arsenal of pitches:

“I thought his best pitch would be his changeup…That hasn’t been the case. For whatever reason, hitters have seen the changeup out of his hand better than I thought they would so there hasn’t been the deception and he hasn’t thrown the split nearly as much because of the grip of the ball so that takes away from one of his weapons.”

On Jason Varitek’s playing time:

“I’m not going to apologize for wanting to play him. He’s been a little beat up the last few weeks. We like him being on the field. We want him running the game for us. “

On calling up Pawtucket catcher Dusty Brown:

“We had a basically a free roster spot, if we got into a game and something happened to a catcher, we’re just trying to protect ourselves”

On John Smoltz’s return tomorrow night:

“It’s exciting. We’re looking for him to keep us in the game. He’s done everything and more that we could’ve asked. We’re looking at 85-90 pitches, not bad for a first time out. We’ll have to use some judgment on that.”

On Jason Bay:

“He’s tremendous. He’s a strong kid , he has some of the best hitter’s hands, doesn’t he? This kid is some kind of player. He’s a great player and he’s an even better teammate. Great kid. He’s funny, he’s not the loudest guy, he’s got some sneaky humor to him. He just shows up and plays. You ask him if he needs a day off, he says no, and then I write him back into the lineup.”

On Mike Lowell getting time off due to his hip:

“I think that’s me over doing it. I probably ran him out there when I shouldn’t have at times. We’ll play David tonight at first, Youk at third. I’ll keep a better eye on it going forward.”

On if his player are mindful of playing NL-style baseball and if Smoltz was always going to come back against an NL opponent:

“I don’t think they really care, if there’s anything different. We just wanted him to pitch when he was ready.”

On the difference in pace of game between each league:

“I think some nights in the NL, the closer you get to the dugout things just kind of happen, I’m used to the AL now, and how it works. When you have good player and pitchers I don’t care what league you’re in.”

On how little turbulence there is in the Red Sox locker room:

“How many places can you sit a David Ortiz and you don’t hear a word? There’s a lot of selflessness and I love it. Sometimes things will go bad, but I think our club can go through it.”

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