EL1 Altoona Curve

Shaffar Placed on LD, Fordham Added from Nashville

Published on June 2, 2003 under Eastern League (EL1)
Altoona Curve News Release


The Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, has announced that RHP Ben Shaffar has been placed on the Disabled List with a sore right knee and that LHP Tom Fordham has been added to the Curve's roster from Triple-A Nashville. Fordham will make his Curve debut on Tuesday night when he starts game two of a three-game series against the Portland Sea Dogs (Boston Red Sox' affiliate) at Blair County Ballpark.

Shaffar, who was 1-3 with a 4.37 ERA in 11 starts so far this season, was scheduled to make his next start Tuesday night against Portland, however he has re-aggravated his right knee—the same knee in which he ruptured the patella tendon in game at Erie last July 26th. The 25-year old underwent surgery to repair the knee in late July, but returned in time to be the Curve's Opening Day starter this year.

The 29-year old Fordham posted an 0-1 record and a 6.07 ERA in seven games (one start) for Nashville this season. The left-hander missed the entire 2002 season after undergoing "Tommy John" surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left elbow.

An 11-year veteran, Fordham spent parts of the 1997 and 1998 seasons at the major league level with the Chicago White Sox, where he went 1-3 with a 6.61 ERA in 36 big league games (six starts). He was originally selected by the White Sox in the 11th round of the 1993 June draft out of Grossmont (CA) Junior College.

The native of El Cajon, CA was signed by the Pirates as a minor league free agent on February 25th.

The Curve opens a six-game homestand with the first of a three-game series against Portland on Monday night at Blair County Ballpark. Gametime is set for 7:05 p.m.

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Eastern League Stories from June 2, 2003


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