Daisuke Matsuzaka Not Offered Roster Spot By Indians, May Begin Season in Minors

by Associated Press on Mon, Mar 18, 2013 at 5:43PM

GOODYEAR, Ariz. — Daisuke Matsuzaka will not make the Cleveland Indians’ opening-day roster.

Matsuzaka, trying to make a comeback after pitching in just 11 games last season with Boston following elbow reconstruction surgery, may accept an offer to stay in the club’s minor league camp. The 32-year-old Japanese right-hander was trying to win a spot in Cleveland’s rotation.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti and manager Terry Francona met with Dice-K and reliever Matt Capps on Monday and told both they will not break camp with the club.

Matsuzaka expressed an interest in staying with Cleveland, Antonetti said, adding that details need to be worked out with agent Scott Boras.

Capps hasn’t decided whether he’ll stay in camp, Antonetti said. Capps began last season as Minnesota’s closer but shoulder problems limited him to 30 games.