Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland August 20, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima of Japan pitches against the Texas Rangers in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts August 12, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima of Japan throws to the Chicago White Sox during the eighth inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Chicago August 10, 2008. REUTERS/John Gress (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima of Japan pauses before taking the mound to pitch against the Oakland Athletics in the seventh inning of their MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts August 3, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Fans cheer after Boston Red pitcher Sox Hideki Okajima of Japan struck out the New York Yankees' Melky Cabrera in the ninth inning of their MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts July 25, 2008. The words read in Japanese: "strikeout". REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima of Japan pitches to the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning of their American League MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts, July 13, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima of Japan pitches against the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts July 7, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches to the New York Yankees in the ninth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at Yankee Stadium in New York, July 6, 2008. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima delivers a pitch against Houston Astros during the eighth inning of their MLB interleague baseball game in Houston June 29, 2008. REUTERS/Richard Carson (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima of Japan pitches to the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of MLB interleague baseball game action in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 17, 2008. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches to the Philadelphia Phillies during the eighth inning of MLB interleague baseball game action in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, June 16, 2008. REUTERS/Tim Shaffer (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima of Japan pitches against the Baltimore Orioles in the seventh inning of their MLB baseball game at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts June 10, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox shortstop Julio Lugo (R) consoles relief pitcher Hideki Okajima as he is taken out of the game after giving up four runs to the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 2, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox manager Terry Francona (L) takes relief pitcher Hideki Okajima out of the game after giving up four runs to the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland June 2, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches against the Baltimore Orioles in the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland May 30, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima stands on the pitchers' mound after giving up a grand slam home run to Baltimore Orioles batter Jay Payton (not shown) in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland May 14, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Baltimore Orioles batter Jay Payton follows through on his grand slam home run off of Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima (not shown) in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland, May 14, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Baltimore Orioles' Jay Payton (16) is greeted at home plate by teammates Freddie Bynum and Brian Roberts (1) after hitting a grand slam home run off of Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima (not shown) in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland May 14, 2008. Red Sox catcher Jason Varitek is behind Payton. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Baltimore Orioles batter Jay Payton follows the flight of his grand slam home run off of Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima (not shown) in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland May 14, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima reaches for a new baseball as Jay Payton of the Baltimore Orioles rounds the bases after hitting a grand slam home run off of Okajima in the seventh inning of their MLB American League baseball game in Baltimore, Maryland May 14, 2008. REUTERS/Joe Giza (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima throws against the Minnesota Twins during the eighth inning of their American League baseball game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, May 10, 2008. REUTERS/Eric Miller (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima throws against Minnesota Twins batter Joe Mauer during the eighth inning of their MLB American League baseball game at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, May 9, 2008. REUTERS/Eric Miller (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima watches from the dugout before the start of their MLB baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Detroit, Michigan May 6, 2008. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning of their American League MLB baseball game in Boston, Massachusetts April 30, 2008. REUTERS/Katie McMahon (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima of Japan leaves the game in the rain in the eighth inning of the Red Sox MLB baseball game against the New York Yankees at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts April 12, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox's Hideki Okajima of Japan pitches to the Detroit Tigers in the seventh inning of their MLB baseball game in Boston, Massachusetts, April 10, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox catcher Kevin Cash (L) goes over the signs with pitcher Hideki Okajima of Japan as Okajima enteres the game in the seventh inning of their MLB baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Boston, Massachusetts, April 10, 2008. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

The Boston Red Sox pitchers Jonathan Papelbon (R) and Hideki Okajima hold their 2007 World Series rings during pre-game ceremonies before the Red Sox MLB American League baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Boston, Massachusetts April 8, 2008. Red Sox players and coaches were presented their 2007 World Series rings during the pre-game ceremonies. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox principal owner John Henry (L) and chairman Thomas Werner (C) present Hideki Okajima of Japan his 2007 World Series ring during pre-game ceremonies before their MLB American League baseball game against Detroit Tigers in Boston, Massachusetts April 8, 2008. Red Sox players and coaches were presented their 2007 World Series rings during the pre-game ceremonies. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

The Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima of Japan shows off his 2007 World Series ring during pre-game ceremonies before the Red Sox MLB baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Boston, Massachusetts April 8, 2008. Red Sox players and coaches were presented their 2007 World Series rings during the pre-game ceremonies. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

The Boston Red Sox Jonathan Papelbon (R) shows off his 2007 World Series ring to Hideki Okajima of Japan during pre-game ceremonies before the Red Sox MLB baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Boston, Massachusetts April 8, 2008. Red Sox players and coaches were presented their 2007 World Series rings during the pre-game ceremonies. REUTERS/Brian Snyder (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays in their American League MLB baseball series game in Toronto April 6, 2008. REUTERS/Fred Thornhill (CANADA) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima (L) relieves starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka in the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics during their MLB baseball game in Oakland, California April 1, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima throws in the eighth inning against the Oakland Athletics during their MLB baseball game in Oakland, California April 1, 2008. REUTERS/Robert Galbraith (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eigth inning of their MLB interleague exhibition baseball game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles March 29, 2008. A record attendance of 115,300 people turned out to watch the Dodgers celebrate the 50th anniversary of their move
to Los Angeles, setting a U.S. baseball crowd record. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the eighth inning of their MLB interleague exhibition baseball game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum March 29, 2008. A record attendance of 115,300 people turned out to watch the Dodgers celebrate the 50th anniversary of their move
to Los Angeles, setting a U.S. baseball crowd record. REUTERS/Phil McCarten (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima signs autographs for fans during a workout session before his team's second baseball game of the MLB American League season opening series against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo March 26, 2008. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima talks with catcher Jason Varitek in the ninth inning of their season opening MLB American League baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo March 25, 2008. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the ninth inning of their season opening MLB American League baseball game in Tokyo March 25, 2008. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the ninth inning of their season opening MLB American League baseball game in Tokyo March 25, 2008. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima signs autographs for fans before their season opening MLB American League baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Tokyo March 25, 2008. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima meets the participants of a baseball clinic, after a workout session for their American League season opening MLB game against Oakland Athletics, in Tokyo March 24, 2008. Red Sox will play their season-opening games against the Oakland Athletics on March 25 and 26 in Japan. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima meets the participants of a baseball clinic, after a workout session for their American League season opening MLB game against Oakland Athletics, in Tokyo March 24, 2008. Red Sox will play their season-opening games against the Oakland Athletics on March 25 and 26 in Japan. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox fans hold up a banner as Red Sox reliever Hideki Okajima makes his appearance in the seventh inning during an exhibition baseball game against the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo March 23, 2008. REUTERS/Kiyoshi Ota (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches against Yomiuri Giants during the seventh inning of their exhibition baseball game in Tokyo March 23, 2008. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches against Yomiuri Giants during the seventh inning of their exhibition baseball game in Tokyo March 23, 2008. REUTERS/Toru Hanai (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima pitches the ball against against the Yomiuri Giants Hayato Sakamoto during the seventh inning of their exhibition baseball game in Tokyo March 23, 2008. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima pitches the ball against the Yomiuri Giants Hayato Sakamoto during the seventh inning of their exhibition baseball game in Tokyo March 23, 2008. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka (R) and his compatriot Hideki Okajima (L) pay their respects while the Japanese national anthem plays before a preseason baseball game against Japan's Hanshin Tigers at Tokyo dome March 22, 2008 ahead of the MLB regular season openers. REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka (front) and Hideki Okajima take part in a workout session at Tokyo Dome, March 21, 2008, ahead of their season-opening baseball games against the Oakland Athletics. The Red Sox will play the Athletics on March 25 and 26 in Japan REUTERS/Kim Kyung-Hoon (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima arrives at Tokyo's Haneda airport March 21, 2008. Boston Red Sox flew in to Tokyo on Friday early morning for their MLB season-opening baseball game against Oakland Athletics March 25 and 26. REUTERS/Issei Kato (JAPAN) 

Boston Red Sox pitchers (L-R) Mike Timlin, David Aardsma, Jonathan Papelbon, Javier Lopez, Bryan Corey, and Hideki Okajima, of Japan, jog on a practice field before a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida, March 19, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Nesius (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima, of Japan, jogs on a practice field before a spring training baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays at City of Palms Park in Fort Myers, Florida, March 19, 2008. REUTERS/Steve Nesius (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox pitcher Hideki Okajima pitches during the second inning of spring training game against the Minnesota Twins in Ft. Myers, Florida February 29, 2008. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima throws on the mound during batting practice at spring training workouts in Ft. Myers, Florida February 25, 2008. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima (R) throws under the watchful eye of bullpen coach Gary Tuck during spring training baseball workouts in Ft. Myers, Florida February 25, 2008. REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima throws on the mound during batting practice at baseball spring training workouts in Ft. Myers, Florida February 25, 2008. . REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox relief pitcher Hideki Okajima signs a bat after the first official day of spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers in Ft. Myers, Florida February 16, 2008. . REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima (L) and team mate Daisuke Maksuzaka stretch during the first official day of spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers in Ft. Myers, Florida February 16, 2008. . REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES) 

Boston Red Sox Hideki Okajima (L) laughs with team mate Daisuke Matsuzaka during the first official day of spring training workouts for pitchers and catchers in Ft. Myers, Florida February 16, 2008. . REUTERS/Hans Deryk (UNITED STATES)