Vital Statistics:
Born: June 1, 1981
Hometown: Puerto Cabello, Venezuela
Height: 6-5
Weight: 255
Bats: Both
Throws: Right
Family: Married, three daughters
Primary position: Starting pitcher
Before The Bigs:
- Mentored by Julio Figueroa, a former pitcher on Venezuela’s Olympic team, he developed a strong arm and was discovered by Cubs scout Alberto Rondon. The Cubs signed him at age 16 in 1997.
- In 1999 at Class A Lansing, went 137 with a 4.17 ERA, becoming a major prospect. He started 2000 at Double-A West Tenn and went 3-1 with a 1.34 ERA before being called up to Triple-A Iowa, where he pitched out of the bullpen.
- After going 10-5 in 25 starts at Iowa in 2001, he was called up to the Cubs and picked up his first big-league win on Sept. 20.
- Started the 2002 season in Iowa, but was called up after three starts.
Career Highlights:
- Joined the Cubs rotation in July 2002, going 4-8 with a 3.66 ERA as a rookie.
- Threw 200-plus innings for the next five seasons, winning 16 games in 2004 and 2006 and 18 games in 2007.
- Named to his first All-Star team in 2004, going 16-8 with a 2.75 ERA and 188 strikeouts. Also named to All-Star team in 2006.
- Finished fifth in NL Cy Young Award voting in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
- Signed a five-year, $91.5 million contract extension late in the 2007 season.
- Is one of the best hitting pitchers in the league, with 16 career home runs as of September 2008.
- Threw a no-hitter against the Astros on Sept. 14, 2008, in a game moved from Houston to Milwaukee because of Hurricane Ike.
