Hanshin Tigers slumping right-hander Randy Messenger was removed from the active roster on Monday, Hanshin manager Yutaka Wada confirmed.

Messenger, 33, who led the Central League with 13 wins (10 defeats), and also had the most strikeouts (226), last season, has hit a rough patch and is just 2-5 with a bloated 5.88 ERA in eight starts this season.

“He must be feeling all kinds of frustration, and I want him to just take a step back and get clear of it. We have to check out his mechanics as well,” Wada said before departing from Osaka International Airport for Tokyo.

The right-hander, who practiced on Monday same day at Koshien Stadium, appears clueless about the cause of his problems.

“He was our Opening Day starter so we need him to work for us. It will be (10 days) at a minimum or even a day more than that (before he returns),” Wada said.