Penny granted release from Japanese club

Brad Penny has been released from his contract with Softbank Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League and has received interest from Major League teams, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.

The Hawks announced Penny's release Tuesday.

Olney reported Tuesday afternoon the 33-year-old right-hander has offers from Major League teams to pitch as both a starter and a reliever and will soon make a decision.

Penny, who made only one start for the Hawks, had his request for a release granted by the team after reportedly suffering a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the past month. The Asahi Shimbun, a newspaper in Japan, also reported that Penny had a hard time adjusting to life and baseball in Japan.

"It is unfortunate," Koji Akiyama, the Hawks' manager, told Nikkan Sports. "But part of it is his feelings, and then there is also his shoulder. It cannot be helped."

Penny went 11-11 with a 5.30 ERA last season for the Tigers. He has a record of 119-99 and a 4.23 ERA over his 12-year career.