D-backs name Craig Shipley assistant to the general manager

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks announced Craig Shipley has joined the organization as an Assistant to the General Manager and will report to General Manager Kevin Towers.

Shipley, 49, will assist the Baseball Operations Department in international and special assignment scouting, evaluate the D-backs’ farm system and serve as an adviser to the General Manager.

Shipley spent the 2003-11 seasons in various roles with the Boston Red Sox, most recently serving as Senior Vice President/International Scouting (2009-11). He began his baseball operations career in 2000 as the Montreal Expos’ Minor League infield and baserunning coordinator and served as a professional scout with the San Diego Padres from 2001-02 before joining the Red Sox on Dec. 7, 2002.

During his tenure with the Red Sox, Shipley played an integral role in the evaluation and signing of pitchers Daisuke Matsuzaka, Felix Doubront and Hideki Okajima and infielder Jose Iglesias.

A native of Parramatta, Australia, Shipley played in 11 Major League seasons with the Los Angeles Dodgers (1986-87), New York Mets (1989), San Diego Padres (1991-94, ’96-97), Houston Astros (1995) and Anaheim Angels (1998) and hit .271 in 582 career games.  Shipley was the second Australian-born player in Major League history when he made his debut on June 22, 1986 vs. Padres.