In an effort to bolster the rotation after injuries to Jeremy Hefner and Jenrry Mejia, the New York Mets today announced the club agreed to terms with righthanded pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka on a one-year contract. Matsuzaka will wear #16 and will start tomorrow’s night game against Detroit. A corresponding move will be announced prior to tomorrow’s game.
Matsuzaka, 32, pitched in Cleveland’s organization this season, making 19 starts for Columbus (AAA) of the International League. He compiled a 5-8 record and a 3.92 ERA (45 earned runs/103.1 innings), striking out 95 and walking 39. He asked for and was granted his release on Tuesday, August 20.
The 6-0, 185-pound native of Tokyo, Japan last appeared in the majors in 2012 with Boston, going 1-7 with a 8.28 ERA (42 earned runs/45.2 innings) in 11 starts.
After an incredible 2008 year where he went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 167.2 innings, he lost his way and struggled for a while. During his recent stint with the Sox in ’12, he was lit up over 11 starts and posted a 8.28 ERA over 45.2 innings.
The Mets were one of the original teams to really make a push for Matsuzaka when he was first moving over to the MLB, but were outbid by the Red Sox.
