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Indians release Daisuke Matsuzaka

Indians' Daisuke Matsuzaka pitches three innings against the Giants during their MLB Cactus League spring training baseball game in Scottsdale

Cleveland Indians’ Daisuke Matsuzaka is congratulated by teammates after pitching three innings against the San Francisco Giants during their MLB Cactus League spring training baseball game in Scottsdale, Arizona, March 5, 2013. REUTERS/Ralph D. Freso (UNITED STATES - Tags: SPORT BASEBALL)

REUTERS

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.