Red Sox place Dice-K on DL, release Bobby Jenks

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) -- Red Sox starter Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to get more time for his recurring stiff neck to settle down and heal -- manager Bobby Valentine hopes for good this time.

Dice-K was placed on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday, a day after the right-hander allowed five runs in one-plus inning and failed to retire a batter in the second inning of a 6-1 loss to the Oakland Athletics.

Boston recalled infielder Mauro Gomez from Triple-A Pawtucket to fill the roster spot and give the Red Sox an extra bat as third baseman Will Middlebrooks nurses a hurt left hamstring. The DL remains a possibility if Middlebrooks doesn't improve in the coming days.

Also Tuesday, Boston reached a contract termination settlement with pitcher Bobby Jenks and granted his unconditional release.