Craft to the Disabled List; Drive Receive Matsuo

Published on April 13, 2008 under South Atlantic League (SAL1)
Greenville Drive News Release

Greenville, SC - The Greenville Drive will officially welcome their first Japanese-born player today, as the team has received right-handed pitcher Terumasa Matsuo from Extended Spring Training. Right-hander Jordan Craft has been placed on the Disabled List with a lower back strain.

The 26-year-old Matsuo has pitched the last two seasons for the Kagawa Olive Guyners and was the Shikoku Island League Most Valuable Player in 2007, when he led the league with 15 wins (15-3 record) and 159 strikeouts. The right-hander posted a 1.72 earned run average and permitted just 85 hits in 152.0 innings over 30 starts.

Matsuo was also selected as the pitcher on the league's Best Nine Team. He had an 11-2 record with a 1.82 era, 134 strikeouts, and 98 hits allowed in 138.0 innings in 2006.

The Boston Red Sox signed Matsuo as an International Free Agent from the Independent Shikoku Island League in Japan on March 30th.

In two appearances out of the bullpen in 2008 thus far, Craft is 0-1 with a 9.64 ERA (5 ER/4.2 IP). He has struckout five batters while issuing three walks. The move to place Craft on the DL is retroactive to April 10th, his last appearance.

After the four game set in West Virginia, the Drive return home to Fluor Field at the West End on Tuesday, April 15th. Jackie Robinson Day, presented by Michelin, kicks off the Drive's second home stand of the season as they host the Greensboro Grasshoppers.

For more information about single-game tickets, ticket plans, luxury accommodations, or group outings, visit www.greenvilledrive.com or call (864) 240-4500.

South Atlantic League Stories from April 13, 2008

• Drive Come-from-Behind for 3-1 Victory - Greenville Drive
• Grasshoppers Jump on Kuo and Tourists - Asheville Tourists
• Lasater, Five-Run First Powers Greensboro Past Asheville, 12-2 - Greensboro Grasshoppers
• Intimidators Score Five Runs In The Eighth To Beat Hickory 5-3 - Kannapolis Cannon Ballers
• Captains take the finale in Hagerstown - Lake County Captains
• Brown drives in game-winner to give BlueClaws a 7-4 win in 11 innings - Jersey Shore BlueClaws
• Villalona's Grand Slam Leads Augusta Past Lexington - Augusta GreenJackets
• Lakewood Wins 7-4 in 11 Innings - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Seventh Inning Slam Propels Augusta To Victory - Lexington Legends
• Late Rally Falls Short, Suns Lose To Captains - Hagerstown Suns
• Jimenez Leads Comeback, Gnats Win 11-7 - Savannah Sand Gnats
• Drive Rally Past Power - Charleston Dirty Birds
• Bradley Suttle Goes on DL, Medina Rejoins RiverDogs - Charleston RiverDogs
• 'Birds Win on Wild Pitch, 2-1 - Delmarva Shorebirds
• Craft to the Disabled List; Drive Receive Matsuo - Greenville Drive
• Captains Shutout in Doubleheader - Lake County Captains

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