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          New York Mets

          Mets refute Japanese report on Dice-K

          Jan 14, 2014
          • Adam RubinESPN Staff Writer
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              Adam Rubin has covered the Mets since 2003. He's a graduate of Mepham High School on Long Island and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He joined ESPNNewYork after spending 10 years at the New York Daily News.
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          Brad Penner/USA TODAY Sports

          There's no deal between Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Mets, despite a report out of Japan, according to team officials.

          Mets officials refuted a Japanese report from Sports Hochi that Daisuke Matsuzaka was on the verge of agreeing to a minor-league deal with the club, with one member of the organization saying it was "not true at all."

          The Mets previously have acknowledged being in the market for a fifth starter on a minor-league contract to compete with Jenrry Mejia and prospects such as Rafael Montero and Jacob deGrom.

          Matsuzaka, 33, had a 4.42 ERA in seven starts for the club at the end of last season.

          He had appeared in danger of release early on, when he had a 10.95 ERA through three starts. But Matsuzaka then rallied to produce a 1.37 ERA in four starts the remainder of the season.