In a move not totally unexpected, the Tampa Bay Rays designated Hideki Matsui for assignment to make room for newly acquired Ryan Roberts.
Matsui had struggled since joining the rays as a free agent. In 34 games Matsui was 19-35 with two home runs.
Matsui had drawn the ire of Rays fans of late booing him unmercifully in his last few home plate appearances.
Roberts was acquired in a trade yesterday with the Arizona Diamondbacks to play third base and serve as a replacement for Evan Longoria.
The Rays are said to be involved in talks with the Rangers and the Angels about RHP James Shields.
