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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." . Rosbergs time of 1 minute, 33.185 seconds at the Bahrain International Circuit was a quarter of a second faster than Hamilton, who had to abandon his final flying lap after running wide at the first corner. . Toronto FC hosts the three-time Italian league champions in a friendly Aug. 7 at BMO Field, a game that Roma CEO Italo Zanzi said falls within a key part of their pre-season. http://www.nuggetsproshop.com/Jarred-Va ... -Jersey/.C. -- Glenn Howard needed an extra end to move into the Masters Grand Slam of Curling final. .com) - Colorado forward P. . Nine years later, he might have finally figured it out. He had only five rounds in the 60s in his previous eight trips.PARIS -- Monaco showed little sign of missing star striker Radamel Falcao as it beat Rennes 2-0, while 10-man Lille won 1-0 at Valenciennes as both winners kept up the pressure on French league leader Paris Saint-Germain on Saturday. James Rodriguez curled in a free kick in the 19th minute to give Monaco the lead after the Colombia forward was tripped by Cheikh MBengue. Anthony Martial was handed his first league start in place of the injured Falcao and the 17-year-old forward scored on the stroke of halftime, exchanging passes with Emmanuel Riviere just inside the area before firing into the bottom right corner. Rennes almost got one back 12 minutes from time but Tiemoue Bakayokos effort crashed off the right upright. Monaco remained a point behind Lille but is provisionally two points behind defending champion PSG, which hosts Lyon on Sunday. "I am very happy," Monaco coach Claudio Ranieri said. "The team was very focused, and dealt very well with Rennes counterattacks. Our aim is to qualify for the Champions League. But if Paris loses its rhythm, I want Monaco to be there. "(Martial) had a very good match. I have the experience to know when it is the best moment to give a player his debut. With a lot of champions around him, he can learn a lot here. He has the skills to become a great player, the potential to have a great career." Halftime substitute Ronny Rodelin scored the only goal of the game, two minutes after going onto the field. Pape Souare crossed to the far post where Rodelin was waiting to send a strike into the bottom left corner with his first touch. Lille was forced to play almost the entire second half with 10 men after Franck Beria was seent off following a second booking in the 53rd but goalkeeper Vincent Enyeama managed to keep a 10th successive clean sheet, stretching the time he has not conceded a goal to 945 minutes, The Nigerian is just short of PSG goalkeeper Salvatore Sirigus second-best mark of 948 from last season.dddddddddddd Valenciennes remained rooted in the bottom three. Lorient won 3-0 to hand Nice its fifth defeat in a row. Kevin Monnet-Paquet opened the scoring in the 17th minute and Vincent Aboubakar almost doubled Lorients lead two minutes later but his header crashed off the post. Nice defender Jordan Amavi turned the ball into his own net in the 71st and Aboubakar sealed the result in stoppage time. Toulouse ended a run of four matches without a win as Wissam Ben Yedder scored a hat trick to help his team to a convincing 5-1 victory over bottom club Sochaux. Sochaux goalkeeper Simon Pouplin and defender Lionel Zouma both scored own goals. Cedric Bakambu had a goal harshly ruled out for offside for the visitors. Elsewhere, Guingamp beat Nantes 1-0 thanks to a 63rd-minute header from Younousse Sankhare. Saint-Etienne eased to a comfortable 4-0 win at home to Reims. After a goalless first half in which both teams struggled to get shots on target, Bayal Sall broke the deadlock shortly after the hour mark, heading home Romain Hamoumas corner. Saint-Etienne doubled its lead in the 76th minute when Loic Perrin headed in Yohan Mollos free kick, and the captain added a second two minutes later. Reims goalkeeper Kossi Agassa managed to parry Salls header but Perrin headed in the rebound. Mevlut Erding added a fourth three minutes from time as Saint-Etienne moved provisionally fifth. ' ' '