Japanese team releases Brad Penny after just one start

Brad Penny is looking for work again, as the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League released the 33-year-old right-hander, the team announced on Tuesday (via YakyuBaka.com).

Penny signed what was reportedly the largest deal ever to an American pitcher in his first year in Japan, worth $4 million plus another $3.5 million in performance bonuses. There was an additional $4.5 mutual option if he pitched 150 innings or won 12 games.

Instead, he managed just 3 1/3 innings in Japan. In his only start on April 4, Penny was saddled with a loss after giving up seven hits and six runs (four earned), striking out one and walking three. He threw just 64 pitches for the Hawks. The day after his start, he was taken off the team's active roster with right shoulder pain.

Penny, who will turn 34 later this month, has a career 119-99 record in parts of 12 seasons in the big leagues with the Marlins, Dodgers, Red Sox, Giants, Cardinals and Tigers.

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