Report: Dice-K heading back to Japan to continue playing career

Veteran pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka has apparently decided to return to Japan to continue his playing career, according to The Japan Times. Fukuoka Softbank Hawks team president Yoshimitsu Goto said Monday the team hopes to have a deal with Matsuzaka in place "in the coming days."

Matsuzaka was a highly touted international free agent when he signed with the Red Sox in December 2006. His MLB career peaked in 2008, when he went 18-3 with a 2.90 ERA in 29 starts for Boston. However, his career after that was marred by injury. He spent the last two seasons in the majors with the Mets, but he also played for the Indians' Triple-A team in 2013.

Matsuzaka went 56-43 with a 4.45 ERA and 1.40 WHIP over 158 MLB appearances (132 starts).