Boston Red Sox right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka was recently put on trade waivers, ESPN's online edition reported Tuesday.
That does not mean the 31-year-old Matsuzaka will automatically be traded. But if he clears waivers he can be dealt to any team before the Aug. 31 deadline for players to be acquired and still be included on playoff rosters.
Matsuzaka, who pitched one-run ball over seven strong innings against the Kansas City Royals on Monday, could be pulled back off waivers if the Red Sox are unable to negotiate a deal with a team claiming him, which would leave him to continue playing for Boston.
He is in the final year of a six-year contract with the Red Sox.
The Red Sox just completed a nine-player blockbuster deal that sent Adrian Gonzalez, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford and Nick Punto to the Los Angeles Dodgers.