Matsuzaka has signed a contract with the Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League, the Associated Press reports. Matsuzaka pitched decently with the Mets this past season, with a 3.89 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 83.1 innings. Still he's not the same pitcher who took the league by storm with the Red Sox during the previous decade, and it's a good bet the 34-year-old will finish out his career in his homeland.

Matsuzaka has apparently decided to pitch in Japan next season with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks expressing interest in signing him, the Japan Times reports. It's still possible that Matsuzaka may only want to return to Japan if he doesn't get an offer from a MLB team, so he may wait awhile to make a decision.

Matsuzaka (elbow) tossed three scoreless innings, scattering one hit and three walks with one strikeout, in Thursday's loss to the Nationals. A bout of elbow inflammation cost Matsuzaka close to two weeks, but he returned Thursday and ate three innings after starter Bartolo Colon was driven from the game early. Look for Matsuzaka to continue serving as a long man out of the bullpen over the remainder of the season.

Matsuzaka received a cortisone shot Tuesday to treat his elbow inflammation, ESPN New York reports. Matsuzaka missed a month with the injury but returned after making three rehab appearances in the minors. He pitched twice for the Mets before getting shut down again. Dice-K is expected to join the Mets in Cincinnati and be available out of the bullpen Friday.

Matsuzaka (elbow), who was just activated off the disabled list Thursday, will remain in New York to see the team's doctors, ESPNNewYork.com reports. Matsuzaka could be shut down for the balance of the year with only a month left, depending on what the doctors find.

Matsuzaka (elbow) was activated from the 15-day DL Thursday. Matsuzaka hasn't pitched since July 24 due to elbow soreness, but has steadily been throwing bullpen sessions and making rehab starts for roughly a month. He'll return to the Mets in place of Vic Black, who was placed on the 15-day DL in a corresponding move to make room for Matsuzaka. Until he earns a late-inning bullpen or fifth starter role, there's not much to get excited about here in terms of fantasy value.

The Mets appear prepared to wait until rosters expand to activate Matsuzaka (elbow), ESPNNewYork.com reports. According to GM Sandy Alderson, Matsuzaka threw "pretty extensively" on Monday, enough to preclude the right-hander from having to make another rehab start for short-season Brooklyn on Thursday. However, it sounds like the Mets may still wait until next week to activate Matsuzaka, unless they're able to unload Bartolo Colon or another starter in the coming days.

Matsuzaka (elbow) threw an extensive bullpen session Tuesday that likely will preclude him from starting for Brooklyn of the New York-Penn League on Thursday. In addition, there is a good chance he is activated prior to September 1, ESPN New York reports. Matsuzaka has looked good in his rehab starts and had no problems with his injured elbow. The Mets may go to a six-man rotation in September to give Jacob DeGrom more rest and enable Rafael Montero to see some starts. Dice-K may be part of that rotation but also work out of the bullpen the last month of the season.

Matsuzaka (elbow) allowed two hits and two walks while striking out seven in five shutout innings during a rehab start for Brooklyn of the New York-Penn League on Thursday. This was Matsuzaka's third rehab start, during which he allowed one run in 14 innings of work. Dice-K has shown he is ready to return and likely will be activated next week, but it remains to be seen who will be sent down to make room for him and what role Matsuzaka will play.

Matsuzaka (elbow) will make another rehab start this week, probably for short-season Brooklyn on Thursday. With Jacob deGrom returning this week, there's no room in the rotation for Sunday's starter Rafael Montero, let alone Dice-K, so the Mets' plans for him remain murky.