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Rays Grant Matsui's Request For Release

Aug 02, 2012 7:35 AM EST

The Rays have released Hideki Matsui, making him a free agent.

The 38-year-old requested that Tampa Bay release him after he was designated for assignment on July 25.

Rays manager Joe Maddon thinks Matsui can still play at the major league level.

"I do because I think the way the whole year started for him late, a rushed spring training, because the way he started out he killed the ball in the beginning and all of a sudden it went away," Maddon said.

"He's moving well. He can still play the outfield, not every day, but he can still do that."

Via Roger Mooney/Tampa Tribune