Marietta College graduate Matt DeSalvo ’03 is back in a major league baseball uniform. On Friday (Aug. 15) evening, the Atlanta Braves purchased the contract of the NCAA’s career win and strikeout leader from Richmond, its Class AAA affiliate. DeSalvo, who is expected to provide depth in the bullpen, replaced Tom Glavine on the roster. Glavine, a 305-game winner and two-time former Cy Young Award winner, returned to the disabled list for the third time this season. This time it was after just one start with the Braves.

DeSalvo, who signed with the New York Yankees as a non-drafted free agent on May 15, 2003, made his major league debut with the Yankees in 2007. The right-hander appeared in seven games and made six starts for New York last summer. DeSalvo went 1-3 with a 6.18 earned run average in 27 2/3 innings at the major league level. He signed a minor league contract with the Atlanta Braves this winter and was invited to spring training before being optioned to Richmond at the start of the season.

This summer, DeSalvo was 2-11 with a 4.60 ERA at Richmond, who entered Saturday’s International League action with a 53-73 record, 13 1/2 games behind first place Durham in the south division. In 32 games, which included seven starts, he worked 88 innings, struck out 90 and walked 53.

DeSalvo, a three-time All-American with Marietta, holds the NCAA record for career victories (53) and strikeouts (603). He also has the top three strikeout marks in school history with 205 (2001), 157 (2003) and 138 (2000).

Marietta College, one of the smallest schools in NCAA Division III, has three former players currently active in professional baseball. Mike DeMark '06 is pitching in his first season with the San Antonio Missions, the Class AA affiliate of the San Diego Padres, and Chris Sidick '05 is in his fourth season with the Washington Wild Things of the Frontier League.The Pioneers have had 43 join the professional ranks since 1964.