Mets rreassigned RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka to Triple-A Las Vegas.

Dice-K's opt-out date isn't until late May, so the Mets can start him out at the Triple-A level and bring him up when he's needed, something that could happen as soon as the first week of the season. Jenrry Mejia will open the 2014 season as the Mets' fifth starter.

The Mets have agreed to pay $100,000 to Daisuke Matsuzaka to retain his rights.

This allows the Mets to send Matsuzaka to Triple-A begin the year if they wish. No official decision has been made on the fifth starter job and we might not hear anything until the weekend, but it appears that Jenrry Mejia has gained some momentum.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Daisuke Matsuzaka is "seemingly locked" in as the Mets' fifth starter.

Matsuzaka held the Cardinals to one run over six-plus innings Monday to likely seal his spot in the rotation, though manager Terry Collins says that Jenrry Mejia is still competing for the spot. "It certainly gives him an edge, because he's done it before, and he's done it a lot," Collins said of Dice-K. "But certainly, with the way Jenrry threw yesterday, he's got to be in that mix." The general feeling is that Mejia will be used in relief to begin the season, with a move into the rotation probably eventually on tap.

Daisuke Matsuzaka was charged with one run in six-plus innings Monday in a victory over the Cardinals.

Matsuzaka fanned the first three batters he faced today (finishing with five overall) and had a shutout going when he hit Stephen Piscotty in the helmet with a curve to start the seventh. He was pulled right away, and the runner came around to score off Vic Black. The strong outing should just about ensure that Dice-K will be the Mets' fifth starter. He's a fringe guy in NL-only leagues.

Daisuke Matsuzaka is the favorite to claim the last spot in the Mets' rotation, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman.

Dice-K has a 4.97 ERA this spring, though that number was better before he surrendered four runs in five innings to the Tigers on Tuesday. He can round out a rotation in deeper NL-only formats, but shouldn't be relied upon if it can be helped.

Daisuke Matsuzaka surrendered four runs in five innings and struck out five in the Mets' win over a Tigers split-squad on Tuesday.

Dice-K gave up homers to Miguel Cabrera and Tyler Collins among his seven hits allowed. His spring ERA is up to 4.97 now, but indications are that he remains the favorite to claim a spot in the Mets' rotation. He's not recommended as more than a reserve pick in NL-only leagues.

Daisuke Matsuzaka fanned four while allowing one run in 3 2/3 innings Thursday in the Mets' 7-5 win over the Nationals.

Dice-K appears to be the favorite to become the Mets' fifth starter. He has a 3.52 ERA and a 7/0 K/BB ratio in 7 2/3 innings this spring.

Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lannan both pitched two innings and allowed two runs -- one earned -- Friday against a Cardinals split-squad.

It makes it tough to evaluate the pitchers when the defense plays like crap all day, which is what the Mets dealt with today. Matsuzaka, nominally the favorite to open up as the Mets' fifth starter, allowed six hits today, but at least one should have been turned into an out. He struck out three and walked none. Lannan allowed three hits, walked none and struck out one after taking over to begin the third. Rafael Montero, the long shot in the competition, also pitched and allowed one unearned run in his two innings.

Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed one run in two innings Sunday in his start against the Cardinals.

Doubles from leadoff man Matt Carpenter and No. 3 hitter Matt Holliday got the Cardinals started off right, but Matsuzaka was able to retire the other six batters he faced. It was a decent first effort as he attempts to win the fifth spot in the Mets rotation.

Adam Rubin of ESPN New York believes that Daisuke Matsuzaka is currently the front-runner to occupy the fifth and final spot in the Mets Opening Day rotation.

He's competing with Jenrry Mejia and John Lannan among others for that final vacancy. The 33-year-old hurler finished the 2013 season on a high note, posting a 3-0 record, 1.37 ERA, 0.83 WHIP and 21/9 K/BB ratio over 26 1/3 innings. He still has the ability to miss bats, and in the friendly confines of Citi Field could be worth a look in the later rounds of mixed leagues.

Tim Rohan of the New York Times writes that Daisuke Matsuzaka is "vying for the No. 5 spot" in the Mets' rotation.

Matsuzaka seemed like a longshot to make the Mets' Opening Day roster when he signed a minor league contract with the club in late January, but Rohan notes that the Japanese right-hander has clicked with pitching coach Dan Warthen on some mechanical changes. "Dice-K" went 3-0 with a 1.37 ERA over his final four starts in 2013. No matter what happens this spring, he's doubtful to regain fantasy relevance.

ESPN's Adam Rubin reports that Mets pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka and John Lannan both have out clauses in their contract which they can exercise in June if they aren't on the Major League roster.

Matsuzaka can opt out on June 1 if he isn't on the MLB roster, an automatic right given by the CBA because Matsuzaka has six-plus years of service in baseball. Lannan negotiated an opt-out date of June 14.

Mets re-signed RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

It turns out that a report earlier this month from Sports Hochi in Japan wound up being correct. Matsuzaka came up with the Mets in late August last year to post a 4.42 ERA while striking out 33 across 38 2/3 innings. He'll compete with John Lannan and Jenrry Mejia for the final spot in the club's rotation but seems likely to begin the year at Triple-A.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com was told by a Mets source that a report out of Japan stating that the team had re-signed Daisuke Matsuzaka is "not true at all."

It doesn't mean they won't wind up re-signing him, but, at the very least, the report appears to be premature. Matsuzaka posted a 4.42 ERA over seven late-season starts for the Mets last year.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Monday that free agent right-hander Daisuke Matsuzaka is on his "list."

Matsuzaka was serviceable down the stretch for New York this past season and the club hasn't ruled out bringing him back. Chances are they'll exhaust other options first, though.

Daisuke Matsuzaka won his third straight start by blanking the Reds for 7 2/3 innings on Wednesday.

Matsuzaka has allowed four earned runs over 26 1/3 innings in his last four starts to finish up at 3-3 with a 4.42 ERA for the Mets. Now he'll have to go look for a job again this winter, but he should have a real chance of finding a major league contract instead of having to sign another minor league deal.

Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed four runs (two earned) over six innings in Friday's win over the Phillies.

All four runs scored in the fourth inning. Dice-K unsurprisingly labored at times, allowing four hits and three walks, but he struck out six and secured his second win since joining the Mets. He'll start one final time this season next week against the Reds, but he's obviously not a fantasy option with that matchup.

Daisuke Matsuzaka threw seven innings of one-run ball in Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader with the Marlins.

He yielded just a single and a Justin Ruggiano solo home run. That's now two solid starts in a row for Dice-K, but veteran fantasy owners have seen this script before. We're betting he struggles next week vs. Washington.

Mets manager Terry Collins said after Monday's game that Daisuke Matsuzaka will make another start.

Matsuzaka was knocked around for six earned runs in three innings Monday against the Braves and has now allowed 20 hits, seven walks and 15 earned runs in 12 1/3 innings (three starts) with the Mets. While it's getting to be brutal to watch, he'll get another chance this weekend against the Indians.

Daisuke Matsuzaka allowed four runs in 4 1/3 innings in a loss to the Phillies on Wednesday.

Matsuzaka made it through three innings scoreless but was at 82 pitches, having loaded the bases twice in those three innings. He was less fortunate in the subsequent innings, finishing with six hits and four walks allowed. The right-hander now has an 0-2 record and 8.68 ERA through two starts. Assuming the Mets continue to roll with the 32-year-old, he'll next pitch Monday against the Braves in Atlanta.