The New York Mets on Saturday reassigned Daisuke Matsuzaka to Triple-A Las Vegas, a move that shocked the veteran right-hander.
The 33-year-old Matsuzaka will start the season in the minors despite his 3.04 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 23⅔ spring innings.
He had eight strikeouts over five shutout innings Saturday against the Toronto Blue Jays, but has lost out on a place on the rotation to 24-year-old Jenrry Mejia.