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IL1 Indianapolis Indians

Japanese Baseball Legend Promoted To Pittsburgh

June 9, 2007 - International League (IL1)
Indianapolis Indians News Release


INDIANAPOLIS -- Japanese Baseball legend Masumi Kuwata has been promoted to Pittsburgh after spending just eight days with the Indianapolis Indians. The right-handed reliever worked 4.1 scoreless innings over three Triple-A appearances from June 2-7.

Kuwata will become the first Japanese player to ever wear a Pirates uniform. He fills the roster spot vacated by RHP Salomon Torres, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list with right elbow inflammation.

"Here's the thing -- Masumi has experience, he has know-how," Pirates Manager Jim Tracy told MLB.com before Saturday afternoon's game at Yankee Stadium. "Is it going to work? Well, here's a chance to find something out about Masumi while we get the situation figured out with Salomon."

Kuwata signed with the Pittsburgh organization as a Minor League free agent on Dec. 18, 2006. He posted a 4.05 ERA with no decisions in five Major League Spring Training appearances before suffering a right ankle sprain on March 26.

The 39-year-old spent the last 20 seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in Tokyo, Japan. He turned in a 173-141 record and 3.46 ERA in 442 career outings. The veteran, who logged over 2,700 innings, also fired 118 complete games and 21 shutouts.

Kuwata collected double-figure wins in six consecutive seasons (1987-92). He also tallied double-figure complete games in four straight campaigns (1989-92), and recorded 100+ strikeouts in eight consecutive years (1987-94).

From a numbers standpoint, Kuwata's best season was in 1989 when he registered career highs for victories (17) and complete games (20).

Kuwata was honored as the Central League's Most Valuable Player in 1994 after going 14-11 with a 2.52 ERA in 28 contests. He was also invited to eight Japanese Professional Baseball League All-Star Games.

Indianapolis, which owns the best record in all of Triple-A Baseball at 37-23, opens an eight-game road trip on Saturday night at Charlotte. The Indians have led the International League West Division for 54 straight days.

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