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Henry, Theo, Tito meet Dice-K

Red Sox GM Theo Epstein and manager Terry Francona were spotted on a plane coming back to Boston from Los Angeles yesterday by a Globe reporter, and refused to confirm the obvious: They were on their way back from a visit with Daisuke Matsuzaka.

The Japanese ace, after watching a Lakers game with his agent, Scott Boras, last night confirmed with Japanese reporters that he had dinner with Sox owner John W. Henry, Francona and Epstein on Saturday night after he'd spent the day meeting with his agent.

Sox chairman Tom Werner and team president Larry Lucchino were also at the dinner, which was described by someone who was there as strictly a social gathering.

"I was surprised to have a dinner with them,'' Matsuzaka said, according to a translation provided by Japanese reporter Gaku Tashiro. "Meeting the Boston owner, GM, and the manager is the most impressive thing during this trip. I feel close to becoming a major league player."

Matsuzaka said he and Boras also visited two training facilities in Southern California, but had not made a decision on where he would train, presuming he signs with the Sox. He also had dinner with Kaz Matsui of the Rockies, who lives in LA.

Matsuzaka said he is planning to return to Japan today.