BALTIMORE — Left-hander Alan Embree has been designated for assignment by the Boston Red Sox, who needed to make room on their roster to bring Daisuke Matsuzaka off the disabled list.
Embree pitched for the 2004 Red Sox team that won the World Series, but never threw a pitch for Boston in his second stint with the club, which comprised two games.
He was signed to a minor league contract on March 20 and struggled during spring training. The 40-year-old veteran began the season at Triple-A Pawtucket and was activated by the Red Sox on Wednesday.
Matsuzaka is scheduled to start Saturday night against the Orioles. He was sidelined with a neck injury.