Cleveland on Tuesday released Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka, who had not appeared in a Major League game for the Indians this season.
Matsuzaka was signed in the off-season by Cleveland, but was released by the club after failing to make the 25-man roster out of spring training.
He was re-signed a few days later in a move that saved the Indians from paying a $100,000 bonus to the right-hander.
Matsuzaka had spent the six prior seasons in Boston. He made 11 starts last year after recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery performed in June 2011 and went 1-7 with an 8.28 ERA.
Matsuzaka was one of the Red Sox’s prized acquisitions prior to the 2007 season.
He was 33-15 in 61 starts over his first two years in Boston helping the club to a World Series title in his first campaign.
In 117 games, all but one as a starter, the Japanese ace owns a major league record of 50-37 with a 4.52 Earned Run Average.
He was 108-60 with a 2.95 ERA from 1999-2006 in Japan.
Indians release 'Dice-K' Matsuzaka
