Former Red Sox star pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has been released from the Cleveland Indians, per the team’s official Twitter. Matsuzaka battled a litany of injuries throughout his career: a shoulder strain in 2008 and ’09, a neck strain and a forearm strain in 2010, Tommy John surgery in 2011, recovery from the surgery in 2012, and a calf strain this spring.
Since a brilliant 2008 in which the right-hander posted an 18-3 record with a 2.90 ERA, he has posted a 5.53 ERA. The Indians signed him to a Minor League deal on February 10. Despite posting a 2.25 ERA in ten spring innings, the Indians are choosing between Carlos Carrasco and Scott Kazmir for the fifth spot in the starting rotation.
Scott Miller of CBS Sports also reports on Twitter that the Indians save themselves $100,000 on a retention bonus due Tuesday.