Report: Dice-K on the verge of returning to play baseball in Japan

It appears veteran pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka is on the verge of returning to play baseball in Japan next season, according to WEEI.com.

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).