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Matt Murton | Outfielder

Team: International Player
Age / DOB:  (31) / 10/3/1981
Ht / Wt:  6'1' / 220
Bats / Throws: Right / Right
Contract: view contract details
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Recent News

According to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker, Matt Murton will remain with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan's Central League.
Many wondered if Murton would attempt to return to the majors after two successful seasons in Japan, but it sounds like we'll have to wait another year. The 30-year-old outfielder previously played for the Cubs, Rockies and Athletics. Mon, Nov 28, 2011 05:22:00 PM
Source: NPB Tracker on Twitter

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Date:
Matt Murton - OF - Player

The Hanshin Tigers are confident that they can get outfielder Matt Murton to re-sign.

Murton, formerly of the Cubs, Rockies and Athletics, has played in Japan for the past two seasons and broke Ichiro's single-season hit record in 2010. Hanshin would love to keep him around, but most assume he'll attempt a comeback in the majors at some point.
Source: NPB Tracker on Twitter
Wed, Nov 2, 2011 09:20:00 AM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Matt Murton broke Ichiro Suzuki's record Tuesday for most hits in a single season of Japanese Professional Baseball.

The 29-year-old Murton has 211 hits this season for the Hanshin Tigers. Suzuki, now playing for the Mariners, had 210 back in 1994 for the Orix BlueWave. Murton is expected to re-sign with his Japanese club this winter rather than test the free agent waters in Major League Baseball.
Source: Associated Press
Tue, Oct 5, 2010 10:09:00 AM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Former major league outfielder Matt Murton became the fourth player in Japanese baseball history to pass the 200-hit plateau Thursday.

Murton, who made stops with the Cubs, Athletics and Rockies over five seasons in the major leagues, signed with the Hanshin Tigers over the winter. The 28-year-old outfielder could still be a productive player in the major leagues, but the Tigers reportedly plan to retain him for next season.
Source: JapanToday.com
Thu, Sep 23, 2010 10:03:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

The Hanshin Tigers plan to retain outfielder Matt Murton.

Murton signed a one-year contract overseas in December after few teams showed interest in him state-side. He's batted .351 so far with Hanshin and could probably find a backup gig back in Major League Baseball for next season, but the Japanese club holds a club option on him for 2011.
Source: Sanspo Japan
Tue, Jul 13, 2010 02:05:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

The Rockies have sent the rights to OF Matt Murton to the Hanshin Tigers.

Murton's departure will allow Ryan Spilbroghs to find playing time in the Rockies' outfield next season. Murton, 28, hit .250/.304/.404 this past season with one homer and six RBI in 52 at-bats. He should do well in Japan.
Source: Thomas Harding on Twitter
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 05:05:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Rockies released outfielder Matt Murton.

This appears to be a pure act of goodwill by the Rockies. If the club had traded Ryan Spilborghs, Murton appeared to be an obvious choice as the backup right-handed-batting outfielder. Murton's desire to make more money in Japan, however, might have swayed the organization into letting him walk.
Mon, Dec 7, 2009 03:44:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Rockies purchased the contract of outfielder Matt Murton from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Murton was designated for assignment by the Rox in late August, but the move came off as odd. He has a 267/.327/.444 batting line in 45 at-bats this season and is a fine utility outfielder.
Tue, Sep 8, 2009 07:39:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Rockies designated outfielder Matt Murton for assignment.

It was a short stint with the Rockies for Murton. He was promoted on Tuesday but jettisoned the next day to make room for Juan Rincon. Murton, a former top prospect who is now 27, hit .267/.327/.444 in 45 at-bats for the Rockies earlier this season. He was raking at Triple-A Colorado Springs, producing a .321 average with 10 homers and 71 RBI. He'll return there if he clears waivers.
Wed, Aug 26, 2009 07:16:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Rockies recalled outfielder Matt Murton from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Murton hit .267/.327/.444 in 45 at-bats for the Rockies earlier this season and may find a couple of starts while Carlos Gonzalez (hand) is ailing.
Tue, Aug 25, 2009 07:02:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Rockies optioned outfielder Matt Murton to Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Murton wasn't terrible, batting .267/.327/.444 in 45 at-bats for the Rockies, but upper management felt it was time for top prospect Carlos Gonzalez to join the big club. Murton will be recalled if there's a need for depth in the Colorado outfield.
Fri, Jun 5, 2009 10:12:00 AM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Rockies recalled outfielder Matt Murton from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Murton was hitting a scalding .411 with four homers and 19 RBI at Triple-A, but there probably aren't enough at-bats available for him to make an impact in NL-only leagues.
Wed, Apr 29, 2009 03:15:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Rockies optioned OF Matt Murton and OF Carlos Gonzalez to Triple-A Colorado Springs; reassigned C Edwin Bellorin, LHP Randy Flores and C Paul Phillips to minor league camp.

Murton easily outplayed Scott Podsednik while hitting .302/.362/.453 in 53 at-bats, but he only made sense for the Rockies if they were going to go with a platoon in either outfield corner and they probably won't do that initially. Hopefully, they'll give him a chance to go elsewhere if someone makes an offer for him. At 27, he can't afford to spend the season in Triple-A.
Related: Carlos Gonzalez, Randy Flores, Paul Phillips, Edwin Bellorin
Mon, Mar 30, 2009 03:55:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Matt Murton hit his second homer of the Saturday off the Rangers' Kevin Millwood.

Murton is at .351/.415/.568 in 37 at-bats, which doesn't count a 2-for-2 game against Mexico a couple of weeks ago. It looks like will come down to him, Ian Stewart and Scott Podsednik for two spots on Colorado's bench. Podsednik doesn't compare when it comes to performance, but he'd provide speed to a bench otherwise lacking it. It's possible the Rockies will choose to send down Stewart and keep Murton as a right-handed complement to Seth Smith in left field.
Sat, Mar 21, 2009 07:36:00 PM
Matt Murton - OF - Player

Matt Murton went 2-for-2 with a walk and a steal Thursday against Mexico.

The stats won't count, but if they did, Murton would have a .429 average to go along with his homer in 14 at-bats this spring. With its huge alleys, Coors Field would seem to be ideal for Murton's offensive game. He has some work left to do to win a job, but he's off to a nice start.
Thu, Mar 5, 2009 07:02:00 PM

Depth Charts

Batters
PosRoleName
LF1Fred Lewis