Colorado Rockies infielder Kazuo Matsui filed for free agency Tuesday, leaving him open to negotiate with the Rockies and other teams for a deal for next season.
Matsui was dealt by the New York Mets in June but he suffered a lower back just 10 days after his move and was out of action for about a month.
After a stint in the minors, Matsui was promoted back to the major-league active roster from Triple-A Colorado and had a .345 batting average with two home runs and eight stolen bases in 32 games.