Indians sign RHP Matsuzaka to minor-league deal

The Cleveland Indians signed free-agent pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka on Wedneday to a minor-league contract with a non-roster invitation to the team's major-league camp in spring training.

The signing completes a deal that was reported earlier this week upon completion of a physical.

Matsuzaka, 32, struggled last season for the Boston Red Sox after undergoing Tommy John reconstructive elbow surgery in June 2011. The right-hander went 1-7 with an 8.28 ERA in 11 games.

"He's in the best shape of his career," Matsuzaka's agent, Scott Boras, said.

The former Japanese league standout has a 50-37 record with a 4.53 ERA in 116 major-league games, all with the Red Sox, since 2007. His best seasons were his first two when he went 15-12 and 18-3 in 2007 and 2008.

Matsuzaka was the most valuable player in the 2006 and 2009 World Baseball Classic with a combined 6-0 record and 1.95 ERA.