Indians release pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka

By Dave Holcomb

The Cleveland Indians released right-handed Pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka on Tuesday. Many sports reports are spinning the story in a different way, but RotoWorld.com reports Matsuzaka asked for his release.

The former Red Sox was competing for a starting rotation spot during spring training, but was designated to Triple-A when Pitcher Scott Kazmir beat him out for the last rotation spot.

The 32-year-old pitched pretty well in Triple-A Columbus this year. In 19 starts, he had a 3.92 ERA while striking out 95 in 103.1 innings pitched. His walks were also down to 39, which was a major problem when he pitched in Boston.

After the All-Star break, Matsuzaka pitched even better posting an ERA of 3.13 with 36 strikeouts in 46 innings.

Even still, it has been a long fall from grace for the man who Boston paid over $51 million just to talk to him. In December of 2006, he signed a six-year, $52 million contract.

He posted a 50-37 record with a 4.52 ERA in his six seasons in Beantown. Matsuzaka was impressive in his first two seasons in the United States, winning 15 games and then 18 in 2008 while having a 2.90 ERA, but after that, the pitcher seemed burned out. He never pitched another full season in his career.

It is unclear what his plans are going forward or whether he wants to try and pitch in the big leagues again or return to Japan or ever pitch again for that matter. Matsuzaka will be 33 on September 13th.