G-Braves Add Pitchers Northcraft, Texeira

RHP Aaron Northcraft promoted from Mississippi, RHP Kanekoa Texeira signed

By Juan Dorado and Dave Lezotte

June 24, 2014

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA - The Gwinnett Braves, in conjunction with the Atlanta Braves, have announced the additions of right-hander Aaron Northcraft from Double-A Mississippi and right-hander Kanekoa Texeira from minor league free agency. Northcraft, the No. 25 prospect in the Braves' organization according to Baseball America, will make his Triple-A debut tonight as Gwinnett's starting pitcher against the Toledo Mud Hens.

Additionally on Tuesday, left-hander Atahualpa Severino was placed on the disabled list retroactive to June 21 with left biceps tendinitis and outfielder Andy Simunic was placed on the temporary inactive list retroactive to June 22.

Northcraft, 24, went 7-3 with a 2.88 ERA (21 ER in 65.2 IP) over 13 appearances, 12 starts for the M-Braves. In five starts during the month of May, he went 4-1 with 1.98 ERA (6 ER in 27.1 IP). His success in the first half of the season earned him a selection to the Southern League All-Star Game.

Selected by the Braves in the 10^th round of the 2009 June free agent draft out of Mater Dei High School (Santa Ana, CA), Northcraft has spent six seasons in the Atlanta system. He's 40-36 with a 3.62 ERA in 114 games, 106 starts through five different levels in the organization. In 2013, he went 8-8 with a 3.42 ERA in 26 starts for Double-A Mississippi. Northcraft is currently on the Braves' 40-man roster.

Texeira, 28, was signed by Atlanta out of the independent Atlantic Association and assigned to Gwinnett. He opened the 2014 season with the Bridgeport Bluefish, going 3-2 with a 3.31 ERA (19 ER in 51.2 IP) in nine starts.

Originally selected by the Chicago White Sox in the 22^nd round of the 2006 June free agent draft out of Saddleback College (Mission Viejo, CA), Texeira has pitched eight seasons across five different Major League organizations including the White Sox (2006-08), New York Yankees (2009, 2011), Seattle Mariners (2010), Kansas City Royals (2010-11) and Cincinnati Reds (2012-13). The Maui, HI native is 21-19 with a 3.06 ERA and 46 saves in 231 career minor league appearances. He's also made 49 Major League appearances with Seattle (2010) and Kansas City (2010-11), going 1-1 with a 4.66 ERA.

The Gwinnett Braves continue the 10-game homestand on Tuesday night at Coolray Field as they open a four-game series against the Toledo Mud Hens. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 PM. Right-hander Aaron Northcraft (0-0, 0.00) will start for the G-Braves, while the Mud Hens will start left-hander Duane Below (6-1, 3.94). Tony Schiavone will have the play-by-play call beginning at 6:20 PM on WDUN.com, GwinnettBraves.com, Tune-In Radio and the MiLB First Pitch app.

Tuesday is "Two-for-Tuesday" at Coolray Field, as all fans can purchase two (2) Infield Box or Field Box tickets for the price of one! Hot dogs are also half price. Tickets are on sale now at the Coolray Field Ticket Office, call 678-277-0340 or visit GwinnettBraves.com to purchase.