Matsuzaka released by Tribe

Cleveland, OH – The Cleveland Indians released starting pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka on Tuesday.

Matsuzaka, who has not appeared in a game for the Tribe this season, asked for the release according to MLB.com.

In 19 starts with Triple-A Columbus, the right-hander went 5-8 with a 3.92 ERA.

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 before being re-signed a few days later in a money-saving move.

He spent the previous six seasons in Boston. He made 11 starts last year after recovering from Tommy John surgery performed in June 2011 and went 1-7 with an 8.28 ERA.

Matsuzaka was one of Boston's prized acquisitions prior to the 2007 season and was 33-15 in 61 starts over his first two years with the Red Sox, helping the club to a World Series title in his first campaign.

In 117 games, all but one as a starter, the Japanese native owns a big league mark of 50-37 with a 4.52 ERA. He was 108-60 with a 2.95 ERA from 1999-2006 in Japan.