Theo Epstein said the Red Sox have not yet received word whether Jason Varitek will exercise his $3 million option for 2010.

The deadline is tomorrow.

Epstein will meet with Scott Boras this evening, so perhaps an answer will be procured then. Boras could certainly try to re-negotiate that option, as the incentives were based on playing time that may not be there. But the Sox could stick to their guns and probably save a few bucks by signing somebody else to back up Victor Martinez.

In other words: Stay tuned. This one is not over yet.

A few other tidbits:

• Daisuke Matsuzaka will return to the United States early to embark on a conditioning program, likely at one of the facilities in Arizona. The "you better show up in good shape" dictum issued after the season appears to have been taken to heart.

• The Sox love their new Cuban shortstop, Jose Iglesias. Epstein said that as they search for a shortstop for this season, it's with the knowledge that Iglesias is the shortstop of the future.

Epstein hopes to get to the Arizona Fall League to see him play.