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Bulls

Matsui recalled to Tampa from Durham

May 29, 2012

The Tampa Bay Rays have called up outfielder Hideki Matsui from the Durham Bulls the team announced Tuesday. Matsui will be in uniform Tuesday night for the Rays game against the White Sox in Tampa Bay. More Info     More Bulls Stories

Matsui was hitting .170 with no home runs and four RBIs in 13 games with Durham. His biggest highlight came last Monday when he delivered a 10th inning walk-off single to defeat Charlotte.

Matsui signed a minor-league deal with the Rays on April 30 and played for nearly a week with the Rays extended spring training team prior to joining Durham. He was expected to join the Rays after management decided he was ready.

The Rays optioned catcher Stephen Vogt back to Durham and transferred outfielder Brandon Guyer from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list to complete the transaction.

While with Durham, Matsui garnered one of the most-viewed games in Bulls history when he squared off against fellow countryman Diasuke Matsuzaka. The game between Matsui and the rehabbing Matsuzaka was broadcast in Japan and required a franchise-record 61 media credentials.