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CLEVELAND -- The Indians released right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka on Tuesday at his request, giving the Japanese veteran a chance to catch on with another team after failing to secure a spot in Clevelands rotation. Matsuzaka has spent the entire season at Triple-A Columbus after failing to win a spot in Clevelands rotation during spring training. After working through early season injuries, Matsuzaka has pitched well in recent weeks, going 4-4 with a 3.56 ERA and 54 strikeouts in 10 starts for the Clippers since July 2. But with the Indians rotation currently packed with solid starters, hes hoping to find work elsewhere for the stretch run. "We didnt have an immediate major league opportunity for Daisuke," Cleveland general manager Chris Antonetti said in the dugout in Anaheim before the Indians game against the Angels. "He had been throwing well in Triple-A, and thought that he may have a better opportunity elsewhere, so he asked for his release, and we granted it." Antonetti said he isnt certain whether Matsuzaka already has a new destination lined up, but he has been speaking regularly with Matsuzakas agent, Scott Boras. The Indians signed the 32-year-old Matsuzaka to a minor league deal in February after he spent six seasons with Boston, but Matsuzaka didnt make the 40-man roster. He was released before re-signing with Cleveland. "Early in the season, there were a number of things that went wrong physically, where he got pushed back, so he was never really a candidate to pitch," said Indians manager Terry Francona, who also was Matsuzakas manager with the World Series-winning Red Sox in 2007. "I dont know if its unfortunate," Francona added. "Its good for him to log innings for his career. Just giving him a chance to maybe go somewhere is good for him." Matsuzaka made an immediate splash with the Red Sox, winning 33 games and a World Series ring during his first two seasons after Boston won a lucrative competition for his services from Japans Seibu Lions. Matsuzaka has been slowed by elbow issues since 2009, and he won only 17 games over the past four seasons for the Red Sox. He underwent elbow ligament replacement surgery in 2011, returning to go 1-7 in 11 starts with Boston last season. His velocity was noticeably down at spring training with the Indians, and veteran Scott Kazmir beat him out for the fifth spot in Clevelands rotation. Matsuzaka then struggled with a strained oblique muscle while in the minors before returning to better form. The second-place Indians rotation looks sharp while they chase Detroit in the AL Central race. Justin Masterson, Zach McAllister, Ubaldo Jimenez, rookie Danny Salazar, Kazmir and injured right-hander Corey Kluber are all in front of Matsuzaka in the majors. "I think Daisuke is in a better spot now at the end of the year than he was at the beginning of the year," Antonetti said. "Hopefully he can get that major league opportunity and go help someone." Authentic Rodney Gunter Jersey . Burris threw two TD passes, including a key 15-yard fourth-quarter strike to Bakari Grant that effectively countered a Toronto comeback bid and led Hamilton to a 33-19 victory. Authentic Brandon Williams Jersey . -- Charline Labonte couldnt have asked for a better homecoming. http://www.cheaparizonacardinalsjerseysauthentic.com/?tag=authentic-antoine-bethea-jersey . The Cleveland Indians, Tampa Bay Rays, and Texas Rangers all won on Sunday meaning the Rangers will host the Rays in a play-in game on Monday. Authentic Josh Bynes Jersey . Q: Team Canada announces their Olympic roster three weeks from today. Who is general manager Steve Yzerman watching? LeBrun: Over the last 48 hours, hes taken in the home-and-home between the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche with Jamie Benn and Matt Duchene being the obvious targets. Authentic Ricky Seals-Jones Jersey . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move.ALAMEDA, Calif. -- Charles Woodson had gotten word that Oakland fans had mobilized through social media to hold a rally at his free-agent visit to the Raiders. Even Woodson was blown away by the reception that included more than a hundred fans decked out in Raiders gear and costumes waiting at the team facility for his arrival Tuesday. "It was overwhelming," he said Wednesday. "I think that if at any time Id ever forgotten what the love was like in Oakland, I was definitely reminded yesterday." The love from the fans, the belief in general manager Reggie McKenzies rebuilding project and a one-year contract worth up to $4.3 million all led to Woodsons decision to return to his original team seven years after leaving as a free agent for Green Bay. "I was actually scared of leaving the facility and not having a deal done," he said. "I dont know if I would have made it out of there. But that was a big deal, and receiving that kind of welcome, it definitely put me in a mindset that it would be a good decision to make it happen." Woodson came into free agency after being released by Green Bay in February looking to play for a Super Bowl contender and met with upper echelon teams San Francisco and Denver during the process. Nothing came together with the 49ers and the Broncos werent willing to make the same commitment as the Raiders, leading to Woodsons decision to sign with Oakland. While the Raiders are coming off a four-win season and havent made the playoffs since Woodsons fifth season in 2002, he has trust in McKenzie after spending six seasons together in Green Bay where McKenzie worked in the Packers front office "After talking to Reggie, I got a good feel about how he felt about the team and that just really gave me confidence that theyre going in the right direction," he said. "Going into the facility yesterday, II felt good about where things stood, and if I signed I was going to be going to a team that has good players on the team.dddddddddddd The game is about fundamentals and playing good football, and they have some good players, and if we can put it together then well win games." Woodson, the fourth overall pick in 1998 by Oakland, returns to the Raiders as a safety at age 36. He will likely slide in at free safety in place of the departed Michael Huff and the Raiders will use his versatility to upgrade a defence that struggled last season. Woodson said he has fully recovered from a broken collarbone that sidelined him for nine regular season games last year. Woodson is an eight-time Pro Bowler and 2009 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. He has 55 career interceptions, 17 sacks, 24 forced fumbles and 11 interception returns for touchdowns in eight seasons in Oakland and seven in Green Bay. "Im just going to bring the intensity," he said. "Im a football player so Im going to bring a lot of intensity, somebody thats passionate about the game, and a guy that knows how to make plays. Thats what Im going to bring. I think when guys watch me play, I think that raises the level of other guys because of the way I play the game. Im going to bring that mindset, that mentality to the game, the same as I always have and have fun doing it." One of Woodsons first orders of business will be negotiating with new teammate Tracy Porter to get his old No. 24 jersey back. He wore that uniform in his first stint with the Raiders, owns a Napa winery called TwentyFour and has many fans eager to bring out their old Woodson jerseys to wear to games next fall. "Well definitely have to have that conversation," Woodson said. "We havent had it yet. Raider Nation has me back but I dont know if theyll have me back without the 24 on my back." ' ' '