Married to Luz…has 4 children: Oliver Jr., Lucianna, Máximo, Olianna...Has played over 10 seasons with his hometown team Culiacán in the Mexican Winter League…notes that Culiacán was the first professional team that drafted him at age 16 and was his favorite team growing up in the state of Sinaloa.
2021
Began the season with the Indians, going 0-1 with a 0.00 ERA (0 ER in 3.2 IP) in five appearances...Was designated for assignment April 28...Signed with Tijuana of the Mexican League on May 20 and went 1-0 with a 2.63 ERA (7 ER in 24.0 IP) in 21 games to help the team win the league championship...Represented Mexico in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and appeared in two games (vs. Japan and Israel).
2020
Has appeared in 18 seasons, most ever for a Mexican-born player in MLB history...Posted 16 scoreless appearances in 2020 as lefties hit just .185 (5-for-27)...From August 16 to the end of the season he posted an ERA of 2.45 (11.0IP, 11H, 4R/3ER, 5BB, 8SO)...Appeared in 1 games in the AL Wild Card Series vs. New York (0.1IP, 1H, 0R).
2019
Spent his second season in the Cleveland bullpen as the primary left-handed option for Terry Francona, leading the team in holds (22), which were 12th-most among American League relievers...Recorded scoreless outings in 53 of his 67 appearances, posting a 1.96 ERA from June 15 through Sept. 11 (18.1IP, 15H, 4ER, 19SO)... Recorded the 1500th strikeout of his Major League career on May 29 at Boston...Posted an 8.44 ERA in 10 April outings (5.1IP, 9H, 5R/ER) and did not record a monthly ERA above 2.57 between May and August...Allowed 19 extra-base hits after yielding only three long hits during the entire 2018 season...14 of his extra-base hits allowed came versus right-handed batters as righties recorded a .889 OPS against and an OPS of .607 by left-handed batters...Batters hit .242 (22-for-91) against him with runners on base and .291 (16-for-55) with RISP.
2018
The June acquisition became a key member of the Indians bullpen from the moment he arrived, leading the team with 15 holds while recording scoreless appearances in 46 of his 51 outings and recording the highest WAR of any reliever on the staff(1.3)...His inherited runners scored pct. of 9.3 (4-of-43) was the lowest in the A.L....Was signed as a free agent on June 2 after being granted his release from New York-AL...Spent the first two months of the 2018 season pitching for the Yankees Triple-A affiliate in Scranton/WB, posting a mark of 1-0 with a 2.57 ERA in 16 relief outings (14.0IP, 17H, 4ER, 3BB, 15SO)...Over his last 9 AAA appearances he posted an ERA of 1.17 (1ER/7.2IP)...Spent the exhibition season with Cincinnati after signing on February 25 and signed with the Yankees on March 30 following his release by the Reds...Made club debut on June 2 at Minnesota (1.1IP, 0H, 3SO)...Allowed only one run over his first 22 outings (14.1IP, 5H, 1R/ER, 2BB, 14SO) thru July 20...After June 16 his ERA was 1.35 (26.2IP, 13H, 4ER, 38SO, .146 avg) and over his last 23 outings from August 6 on, his ERA was 1.15 (15.2IP, 9H, 2ER, 26SO, .170 avg)...Yielded only 7.2 baserunners per 9.0IP and an OPS of .417 for the season (.490 OPS to LHH; .322 OPS to RHH), allowing just three extra-base hits...Right-handed batters hit just .104 (5-for-48, all singles)...Allowed only three extra-base hits (2 2B, 1 HR) and allowed only one extra-base hit over his last 17.2 innings on the year...Batters hit just .132 (7-for-53) with runners on base and .129 (4-for-31) with RISP.
2017
Stranded 30-35 inherited baserunners (86%), second-best in the National League and T4th in the majors...on 9/2 at Mil and 9/8 vs Phi allowed runs in consecutive apps for the only time all season...picked up his third career save in the 4-2 win at LAD on 6/5...was 1 of 11 Nationals pitchers to record at least 1 save...ranked second on the staff with 12 holds (Matt Albers, 14).
2016
In his first season in Washington, recorded a career-high 16 holds, topping his previous career mark of 15 in 2014...He allowed just 13.3 % of inherited runners to score (45 IR, 6 IRS), the fourth-best mark in the National League (T5th in MLB)...He struck out 10.35 batters per nine innings (46 SO/40.0 IP)...Offered scoreless relief in his final 11 games of the season...He struck out six, walked one, secured four holds and allowed 1 of 6 inherited runners to score during that stretch...Tossed 3.1 innings of one-hit, scoreless relief in the 2016 NLDS...On April 24 vs. MIN, reached on an error on the bottom of the 15th inning, allowing Danny Espinosa to score from second base, tying the game at 5-5...The Nationals later won on a walk-off home run by Chris Heisey...Following the season, went 2-0 with a 1.86 ERA (2 ER/9.2 IP) and 17 strikeouts in 11 games in the Mexican Winter League for both Tomateros de Culiacan and the Mexican club that advanced to the Caribbean World Series.
2015
Began the season with Arizona before being acquired by Houston on Aug. 7...Went 2-4 with three saves, 10 holds and a 4.17 ERA in a career-high 70 games between the two stops...Struck out 51 batters in 41.0 innings...Was 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA (10 ER/29.0 IP) in 48 relief appearances while posting a .223 opponents batting average and 37 strikeouts in 29.0 innings pitched at the time of the trade...Left-handed batters were hitting just .183 (11-for-60) off him before the trade, and for the season, lefties hit .185 (17-for-92) against him...Did not allow an earned run in any of his first five outings with the Astros...Did not allow an earned run in 28 consecutive games from June 4-Aug. 24, the longest active streak in the MLB at the time, and the longest of his career passing a 20-game streak from July 13-Sept. 14, 2012.
2014
Established career highs in holds (15) and appearances (68) in his first season with Arizona, going 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA (19 ER in 58.2 IP)... Is the ninth Mexican-born player to appear with Arizona…signed a 2-year free agent contract on March 10... 1 of 3 lefty relievers with 60 games and 70 strikeouts in each of the last 2 seasons (also Jake McGee and Brett Cecil)... Ranked seventh among NL relievers with 11.66 strikeouts per 9.0 inning and 13th in strikeouts (sixth most by a lefty)... Set a club record by a D-backs lefty reliever with 76 strikeouts, while his 68 appearances were third highest... His .184 average (23-for-125) vs. righties was a career low and the fourth lowest in the Majors by a lefty behind Aroldis Chapman (.118), McGee (.170) and Zach Britton (.182)... First batters hit .169 (10-for-59), tied for 12th best in the NL (also Pedro Strop)... Made his D-backs debut on Opening Day on March 22 vs. Dodgers in Sydney, Australia (0.1 IP)... Did not allow a home run in a career-high 37 consecutive games from April 25-Aug. 8 (33.1 IP)... Posted a 0.38 ERA (1 ER in 23.2 IP) in 26 games from May 11-July 23, including 13 straight scoreless appearances from May 11-June 13 (11.0 IP)... Struck out at least one batter in 11 straight games from Aug. 29-Sept. 26, the eighth-longest streak among NL relievers... Set a club record with four strikeouts in the seventh inning on Sept. 20 @ Rockies.
2013
Went 3-3 with two saves and a 3.74 ERA (22 ER in 53.0 IP) in a career-high 61 relief appearances in second season in Seattle... Ranked sixth among AL relievers in strikeouts per 9.0 innings (12.57)…also ranked second in club history and marked the fourth-highest strikeout per 9.0-inning mark by a lefty reliever in AL history, trailing Dan Plesac (13.50 in 2001) and B.J. Ryan (12.80 in 2005 and 12.62 in 2004)... Struck out 7 straight batters (May 10-15), most by a Mariners pitcher since Rafael Soriano (July 28-30, 2003; also 7)... Recorded his first career save on June 14 @ A's...Made one relief appearance with Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic.
2012
Went 1-3 with a 2.12 ERA (7 ER, 29.2 IP) in 33 relief appearances... all 3 losses came in extra innings ... Did not allow a run in 20 consecutive appearances July 13-Sept. 14, tied for the 4th-longest streak in club history ... Posted the 9th-lowest ERA by an AL reliever with a minimum of 30 appearances (2.12) ... Threw 461 pitches in his 33 appearances, recording a 67.9 strike percentage (313 of 461)... entered season with career 61% strike percentage ... Earned W#1 July 29 vs. Kansas City (0.1,1,0,0,0,1) for first MLB win since Aug. 18, 2009 (vs. ATL w/NYM) ... Made Mariners debut June 18 at Arizona (1.1,1,0,0,1,1)...first MLB appearance since Oct. 3, 2010 with New York (NL) ... Went 2-2 with 1 save and a 4.65 ERA (16 ER, 31.0 IP) with 42 strikeouts in 22 relief appearances with AAA Tacoma...at time of selection led Pacific Coast League with 12.19 K/9.0 IP (42 K, 31.0 IP).
2011
Spent the entire season with AA Harrisburg in the Washington Nationals organization ... went 3-5, 3.09 ERA (26 ER, 75.2 IP) with 58 strikeouts in 16 games (15 GS)...appeared in 23 games, all in relief for the Tomateros de Culiacan in the Mexican Winter League ... went 0-2 with a 0.63 ERA (1 ER, 14.1 IP) with 19 strikeouts.
2010
Began the season in the starting rotation before being moved to the bullpen after his start on May 14 at Florida, a 7-2 loss (3.1 innings, seven earned runs, four home runs)...Limited lefthanders to a .214 (9-42) batting average,while righthanders hit .317 (45-142) against him...Placed on the 15-Day Disabled List with patella tendinitis of his right knee on June 5...Activated from the DL on July 20...Appeared in six of the team's final 69 games...Made four rehabilitation starts split between Buffalo (AAA) of the International League and St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League, going a combined 1-1 with a 3.47 ERA (nine earned runs/23.1 innings)...Was unscored upon in three of his 17 outings...As a starter, he was 0-3 with a 5.94 ERA (22 earned runs/33.1 innings)... Posted an 0-2 record with a 9.00 ERA (13 earned runs/13.0 innings) out of the bullpen...Made his first major league relief appearance since September 2, 2002 on May 19 at Washington...Walked one in 0.1 innings...Lost his sixth straight decision dating back to 2009 on October 3 vs. Washington...Hit a batter and walked three to force in the go-ahead run in the 14th inning of a 2-1 loss.
2009
Underwent surgery to remove scar tissue from the patella tendon of his right knee at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan on September 1st...Mets Medical Director Dr. David Altchek performed the procedure...Placed on the 15-Day Disabled List twice during the season...Landed on the DL on May 6th, retroactive to May 3rd, with patellar tendinitis in his right knee...Activated on July 8th, but was put back on the DL on August 26th with patella tendon tendonosis in his right knee...Transferred to the 60-Day Disabled List on September 28th...Limited lefthanders to a .200 (16-80) batting average...Only walked eight lefthanded hitters...Opponents hit .177 (23-130) with two strikes against...His win on April 15th against the Padres was the first victory by the Mets in Citi Field history...Went 6.0 innings and allowed three hits and one run... Struck out four in the 7-2 win...Made three more starts before landing on the 15-Day Disabled List...Had four starts during his rehabilitation assignment, two with Buffalo (AAA) of the International League and one apiece with Brooklyn (A) of the New York-Penn League and St. Lucie (A) of the Florida State League...Finished 1-3 with a 3.12 ERA and struck out better than a batter per inning (18 strikeouts/17.1 innings pitched) over the four starts...In his rehabilitation start on June 28th for Brooklyn vs. Hudson Valley, he earned the win with 5.0 shutout innings...Retired 15 of 16 hitters at one point...Activated from the 15-Day Disabled List on July 8th in advance of his start that night against Los Angeles (NL)...Beat the Dodgers, 5-4, going 5.0 innings and allowing four hits, two runs, earned, no home runs and seven walks, while striking out two...His seven walks on July 8th were one shy of his career-high, set on May 23, 2008 at Colorado...Went a season-high 6.1 innings and tied his season-best with seven strikeouts on August 7th in San Diego... Allowed two hits and one run, but received a no-decision in the 6-2 loss...Led the team with 25 strikeouts in four August starts...His 10.07 strikeoutsper- nine-innings during the month was eighth highest in the National League...Was 1-1 with a 3.72 ERA (16 earned runs/38.2 innings pitched) from July 8th- August 12th...Struck out 38 in 38.2 innings and allowed less than a hit per inning (32)...Snapped a six-start winless streak on August 18th, beating the Braves, 9-4 at Citi Field...Had the second shortest start of his career on August 23rd vs. the Phillies, lasting 0.2 innings...Only recorded one out on June 2, 2008 at San Francisco...Pitched for Team Mexico in the World Baseball Classic...Went 0-1 with a 9.45 ERA in two games, both starts.
2008
Started the final Opening Day at Shea Stadium on April 8th vs. Philadelphia and started the final regular season game at Shea Stadium on September 28th vs. Florida...Led the National League and was second in the majors with a .158 opponents' batting average against lefthanded batters... Lefthanded batters were 28-177, with five of the 28 hits home runs...Received a franchise-record 17 no-decisions...Masato Yoshii held the previous Mets record with 15 no-decisions during the 1998 season...Was 5-1 with a 3.05 ERA in 16 starts against National League East opponents...The opposition hit just .217 against him at Shea Stadium...Allowed 76 hits in 96.0 innings at Shea Stadium...Opponents hit .165 (63-382) with two strikes...Opponents hit .201 (56-279) the first time through the line-up...Opponents hit .242 (38-157) with runners in scoring position...They hit .236 (72-305) with runners on base...Became the fourth Mets starter to reach double-digit wins on September 20th, joining Mike Pelfrey, John Maine and Johan Santana...It marked the first time since the 2000 season that the Mets had four pitchers with at least 10 wins in a season...Made 20 starts against teams that finished the season .500 or better, and was 7-2 with a 3.32 ERA in these games...In 116.2 innings over that span, allowed 92 hits, 44 runs, 43 earned, while walking 51 and striking out 108...In his 19 starts in which the Mets won, the southpaw went 10-0 with a 2.85 ERA (38 earned runs/120.0 innings) while walking 60 and striking out 119...The opposition hit .204 against him in these games...Walked a career-high eight batters in his start on May 23rd at Colorado...It was the most walks issued by a Mets pitcher since Mike Hampton walked nine in his Mets debut on March 29, 2000 against Chicago (NL) in Tokyo, Japan...Lasted only 0.1 inning on June 2nd at San Francisco...It marked the shortest outing of his career, either as a starter or reliever...His previous low as a reliever was 1.0 inning on September 2, 2002 and previous low as a starter was 1.2 innings, done several times, most recently on April 30th vs. Pittsburgh...On June 29th, tossed 7.0 innings and did not allow a walk...It was the first time in 2008 that he did not issue a base-on-balls and the first time since September 22, 2007 at Florida...Also struck out eight to tie his then season-high...Led the Major Leagues with a 1.38 ERA (five earned runs/32.2 innings) in July...Struck out a season-high 12 on July 24th vs. Philadelphia...It was his highest output of the season and the 20th double-digit strikeout game of his career...After June 29th, the southpaw was 5-2 with a 3.42 ERA in 18 starts...Over 110.2 innings of work, he allowed 89 hits, 45 runs, 42 earned, with 53 walks and 112 strikeouts...The Mets were 12-6 in these games...Compiled a career-best 15.0 scoreless inning streak from August 3rd-August 14th...Struck out the 1,000th batter of his career on September 9th vs. Washington...It was a strikeout of John Lannan in the top of the third inning...Swiped his third career stolen base in the second inning of the May 11th game vs. Cincinnati...All three stolen bases have come against the Reds...Last stolen base came on May 17, 2006 as a member of the Pirates...Was the first stolen base by a Mets pitcher since July 17, 2007 when Orlando Hernandez stole second against the San Diego Padres.
2007
Was ninth in the National League with a 3.56 ERA, tied for eighth with 15 wins, third in opponents batting average against (.229), second with 8.8 strikeouts per nine innings, tied for 10th with 174 strikeouts and sixth with a 3.03 ERA during the day...Extended his career-high with his 15th win on September 22nd at Florida...Hurled 8.0 innings, allowed one earned run and fanned eight batters as the Mets won, 7-2...His previous career-best was 12 victories in 2004 with Pittsburgh...Made 29 starts, the most since he started a career-high 30 games in 2004 with the Pirates...His strikeout total (174) was also the second most he's ever recorded, behind the 239 he notched in 2004...Permitted two earned runs or less in 16 of his 29 starts, and one earned run or less in nine of the 29...The Mets were 17-12 in his starts...Held lefthanded batters to a .206 (29-141) mark...Was 8-4 with a 3.20 ERA (27 earned runs/76.0 innings) on the road...Went 5-2 with a 3.83 ERA (20 earned runs/47.0 innings) and 46 strikeouts over his last eight starts...Fired 8.0 innings on September 22nd at Florida...Allowed two runs, one earned, with no walks and eight strikeouts in a game the Mets won, 7-2...Collected 10 strikeouts on August 29th at Philadelphia...It was his 19th career double-digit strikeout game, and the fourth time he has struck out 10 or more batters as a member of the Mets...Also struck out 10 batters on May 2nd against Florida at Shea, and had a season-high 11 strikeouts on August 1st at Milwaukee...Went 2-1 with a 1.40 ERA (three earned runs/19.1 innings) in July...Was activated from the 15-Day Disabled List prior to his start on July 15th at Shea against the Reds...Was placed on the Disabled List on July 3rd, retroactive to June 27th with stiffness in his back...Made one rehabilitation start for the Gulf Coast League Mets at the GCL Dodgers on July 10th...Tossed 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing two hits with no walks and seven strikeouts...Did not factor in the decision in the 6-4 win...Was tied for second with four wins in the National League in the month of May...Philadelphia's Cole Hamels led the NL with five wins in May...Overall, went 4-1 with a 2.01 ERA (nine earned runs/40.1 innings) that month...Retired 14 consecutive batters from the first inning to the sixth in his start on May 29th against the Giants at Shea...With the win on May 23rd at Atlanta, he collected a victory in three consecutive starts for the first time in his career...Pitched at least 7.0 innings in a career-best five consecutive starts from May 18th-June 3rd...The Mets were 4-1 in those games...Pitched a season-high 8.1 innings on May 13th against the Brewers at Shea...It was also the longest outing by a Mets starter in 2007...Tied his career-high with seven walks on April 11th vs. Philadelphia at Shea...It was the sixth time that he has allowed seven walks in a game, last on June 23, 2006, with Pittsburgh vs. Colorado...Picked up the victory in his first start of the season on April 6th at Atlanta...Hurled 7.0 innings, permitting five hits, one run, earned, with six strikeouts as the Mets topped the Braves, 11-1...Collected his fourth career multi-hit game in his start on May 2nd, going 2-2 with a sacrifice and two runs scored...Had a five-game hitting streak from May 2nd-May 18th...Hit .556 (5-9) during that span.
2006
Acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 31...Made his Mets debut on Aug. 26 in a start against the Phillies at Shea...Tossed 5.0 innings, permitting two hits, five runs, earned, with five walks and seven strikeouts...Did not factor in the decision as the Mets defeated Philadelphia, 11-5...Hurled his second career shutout in an 8-0 win in his start on Sept. 6 against the Braves at New York (Game Two)...Allowed five hits, with one walk and six strikeouts to pick up his first victory with the Mets...It was also Perez' third career complete game, and the five hits allowed was the fewest allowed in those three games...His other shutout came with the Pirates at Cincinnati on April 25, 2004 in a 6-0 win...Struck out a season-high 11 batters in his start on Sept. 12 at Florida...The 11 strikeouts also tied the Mets season-high mark...Tom Glavine recorded 11 strikeouts on April 14 vs. Milwaukee, and Pedro Martinez had 11 on April 22 at San Diego...Averaged 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings (41 strikeouts/36.2 innings) in his seven starts with the Mets...Allowed just four earned runs in 22.0 innings pitched (1.64 ERA) over three starts from May 17-28 with the Pirates...Held opponents to a .207 batting average (17-82) in four starts in May (24.0 innings pitched)...Went 1-2 with a 6.05 ERA (13 earned runs/19.1 innings) at Norfolk after the trade...Permitted just one run in his last 13.0 innings at Norfolk before being recalled by the Mets on August 25...Was 2-10 with a 6.63 ERA in 15 starts for the Pirates before being optioned to Indianapolis (AAA) of the International League on June 29...In 76.0 innings, he surrendered 88 hits, 64 runs, 56 earned, with 51 walks and 61 strikeouts...Went 1-3 with a 5.63 ERA in six starts for Indianapolis...In 32.0 innings, he allowed 28 hits, 21 runs, 20 earned, with 11 walks and 34 strikeouts...Made his second straight Opening Day start for the Pirates against the Brewers at Milwaukee...Went 5.1 innings, yielding three hits, one run, earned, with three walks and nine strikeouts...Did not factor in the decision as the Brewers defeated Pittsburgh, 5-2.
POSTSEASON: Scattered four hits and allowed just one run over 6.0 innings in a no-decision in Game Seven of the NLCS against the Cardinals...Earned a win in his first post-season appearance in Game Four of the NLCS at St. Louis...Worked 5.2 innings, allowed nine hits, five runs, earned, with one walk and three strikeouts in the Mets' 12-5 triumph.
2005
Did not make first official spring appearance until 3/11 due to left shoulder stiffness...Was Pittsburgh's Opening Day starter and lost a 9-2 decision (5.0ip+/5h/6r/6er/3bb/6so) to Milwaukee's Ben Sheets @PNC Park on 4/4...Dropped second straight start after surrendeirng five runs in 4.0 innings of work @San Diego on 4/9...Tossed 5.2 innings of no-hit ball and earned first win with a 2-0 decision over Houston's Roy Oswalt on 4/25 vs. Houston...Allowed six home runs in first four starts (19.0ip)...Whiffed just one batter and dropped third decision on 5/1 vs. San Francisco...Missed two starts in early May to work on his mechanics with Pitching Coach Spin Williams...Returned to mound on 5/21 vs. Colorado - on Oliver Perez bobblehead night - and picked up victory (5.0ip/2h/2r/8so)...Won second straight start with an 8-4 decision over Cincinnati's Elizardo Ramirez on 5/26 @Great American Ball Park...Also had second career multi-hit game with a pair of singles on 5/26 @Cincinnati...Won career-high fourth straight decision while recording lone double digit strikeout game (10) in 18-2 win over Tampa Bay on 6/11...Was charged with six runs in 5.0 innings and lost a 6-1 decision to New York's Randy Johnson on 6/16 @Yankee Stadium (it was the first time in his career he started against Johnson)...Was placed on the 15-day disabled list on 6/28 after suffering a broken left big toe on 6/26 (kicked a laundry cart in the clubhouse after his start in St. Louis that day)...Threw a 3.0-inning simulated game @Shea Stadium on 8/17...Made first rehab start with Indianapolis (AAA) on 8/22 and threw 69 pitches in a no-decision (4.0ip/7h/2r/2er/3bb/3so). ...Made second start @Columbus on 8/27 and surrendered six hits and seven earned runs in 1.2 innings of work (51 pitches). ...Suffered loss in third and final rehab start on 9/1 vs. Toledo (4.1ip/1h/2r/2er/7bb/1so)...Was recalled from rehab assignment and reinstated from D.L. on 9/2...His start on 9/9 @Cincinnati was his first since 6/26 (4.1ip/5h/3r/3er/2bb/5so)...Was ejected from his start @Busch Stadium on 9/14 after hitting Hector Luna with two outs in the 2nd inning...Pitched just 2.2 innings and surrendered five walks, five hits and five runs on 9/18 vs. Cincinnati...Had two-run single and stole second base on 9/18 - the first Pittsburgh pitcher to swipe a base since Josh Fogg on 8/28/03...Received three straight no-decisions after returning from D.L. before winning an 8-3 decision over Odalis Perez on 9/24 @Los Angeles...Tied career high with seven walks, but received a no-decision in final start on 9/30 vs. Milwaukee (5.0ip+/1h/2r/2er/4so)...Went 1-0 with a 4.58 ERA (19.2ip/10er) in five starts after returning from disabled list...Went 1-4 with an 8.03 ERA (37.0ip/33er) in his first seven starts thru 5/6 and 6-1 with a 4.64 ERA (66.0ip/34er) in his last 13...The Pirates went 13-7 in his 20 starts...Went 6-for-33 (.182) with three RBI, one walk and seven sacrifice bunts at the plate...Pitched in the Mexican Winter League, where he posted an 0-4 record and a 4.44 ERA (26.1ip/13er/24so) in eight games.
2004
Spent first full season in the majors...Ranked sixth among National League pitchers in ERA and fourth in strikeouts...Led all major league pitchers with a strikeout/per 9.0 innings ratio of 11.0 (239 K's in 196.0ip)...Held opposing hitters to a .202 batting average - the second-best mark in the league behind Arizona's Randy Johnson (.197) - and just a .187 average in 16 starts @PNC Park...His 2.21 ERA at home was the best among all National League pitchers...Had a 2.86 ERA on the road (sixth-lowest in N.L.)...His 239 strikeouts were the third-highest single season total in team history (lefty Bob Veale had 276 in 1965 and 250 in 1964)...Struck out 10 or more batters in a game nine times...The Pirates were shut out in four of his starts and were held to three runs or less in 14 of his 30 starts...Was victorious in his first start on 4/11 @Cincinnati; his first win since 7/22/03 (snapped a personal six-game losing streak in the process)...Whiffed 10 batters while recording first career shutout on 4/25 vs. Cincinnati. ...Dropped first decision in 4-0 loss vs. Los Angeles on 5/7...Tossed second complete game in 11-2 win @Colorado on 5/13 (game two)...Lost season-high three straight decisions from 5/19 (game two) thru 6/20...Went seven starts without a win between 5/13 and 7/2...Struck out 12 batters, but surrendered three home runs and six runs while receiving a no-decision @Texas on 6/10 (game one). ...Surrendered just three hits and struck out 13, but did not factor in the decision in Pittsburgh's 1-0 win @Cincinnati on 6/26...Did not allow a home run in four straight starts (25.1ip) from 6/20 thru 7/7...Snapped three-game losing streak after allowing one run in 7.0 innings of work on 7/2 vs. Milwaukee (game one)...Won three straight decisions from 7/2 thru 7/23...His 2.16 ERA during the month of July was the sixth-lowest mark in the National League (Atlanta's Jaret Wright led with a 1.42 ERA)...Suffered back-to-back losses on 7/28 and 8/3 before winning three straight again from 8/8 thu 8/24...Appeared as a pinch runner on 8/11 @San Francisco...Went 2-0 with a 0.86 ERA (21.0ip/2er) over a three-start stretch from 8/14 thru 8/24...Tied career high with seven walks allowed on 8/14 vs. Colorado...Allowed just one unearned run in 7.0 innings of work @St. Louis on 8/19, but did not return after a 1:12 rain delay...Surrendered four home runs and a season-high seven runs in 8-6 loss @Houston on 9/3...Faced the Astros again six days later and struck out career-high 14 batters while allowing just three hits and one unearned run in 8.0 innings of work...The 14 strikeouts were the most by a Pittsburgh pitcher since Jose DeLeon whiffed 14 New York Mets on 4/16/85 and fell two shy of Bob Veale's club record, set in 1965...Served up four home runs again on 9/15 @Chicago while losing a 13-5 decision...Won his last two decisions and went 2-1 with a 0.92 ERA (19.2ip/2er) in his final three starts...The Pirates went 18-12 in his 30 starts...Hit safely in each of his first three starts and batted .190 (11-for-58) during the season with four walks and 10 sacrifice bunts...Pitched in six of Pittsburgh's nine doubleheaders.
2003
Spent time with three different teams...Began season with San Diego and lost his first start on 4/2 vs. San Francisco...Did not factor in the decision despite surrendering three home runs on 4/7 @San Francisco...Issued seven walks in a no-decision on 4/13 vs. Colorado...Yielded 11 hits and eight runs in second loss on 4/18 @Colorado...Tossed 6.1 scoreless innings and earned first win on 4/24 @Chicago (NL)...Was tagged for seven runs in 3.0 innings of work on 4/30 vs. Pittsburgh...Was optioned to Portland (Padres' AAA) on 5/1 after going 1-3 with an 8.23 ERA (27.1ip/25er) in six starts with San Diego...Went 2-3 with a 1.89 ERA (38.0ip/8er) in his first six starts with the Beavers and did not allow more than two earned runs in any start during that span...Struck out 11 batters in a victory on 6/6 vs. Tucson (6.0ip)...Allowed five runs in a no-decision on 6/11 @Colorado Springs (3.2ip)...Was recalled by San Diego on 6/13...Won his first start upon his return on 6/15 @Chicago (AL)...Allowed just one run and struck out eight in his victory vs. Los Angeles on 7/7...Went 2-0 with a 2.25 ERA (32.0ip/8er) in five starts from 6/15 thru 7/7...Posted a combined 10.80 ERA (8.1ip/10er) in two starts on 7/12 @St. Louis and 7/17 vs. Arizona...Registered his final win of the year on 7/22 vs. St. Louis...Walked seven batters for the second time while receiving a no-decision on 7/29 @Pittsburgh (5.0ip/2h/1er)...Whiffed 13 batters on 8/3 @Philadelphia...Went 1-0 with 2.37 ERA (19.0ip/5er) in three starts from 7/22 thru 8/3...Struck out 11 batters in a loss on 8/9 vs. Cincinnati, the first time in his career in which he registered back-to-back 10-plus strikeout games...Went 0-3 with a 7.41 ERA (17.0ip/14er) in his last three starts with San Diego...Was acquired by Pittsburgh on 8/26...Made his debut with the Pirates on 8/30 vs. Atlanta and lost a 13-6 decision (2.1ip/6er) to Horacio Ramirez...Struck out 10 batters, but had a no-decision on 9/10 @Cincinnati...Left his final start on 9/21 vs. Chicago (NL) after 1.2 innings (developed a blister on the middle finger of his pitching hand while suffering second straight loss)..Went 7-for-39 (.179) with four RBI at the plate during the entire season, but went hitless in six at bats with the Bucs...The Pirates went 1-4 in his five starts.
2002
Played for three different clubs within the San Diego organization...Was rated as the Padres 10th-best prospect for the second consecutive year by Baseball America...Began season with Lake Elsinore (Padres' A) and went 0-1 with a 1.86 ERA (9.2ip/2er) in his first two starts with the Storm...Tossed 22.1 consecutive scoreless innings over four starts from 4/25 thru 5/11...Posted a 0.39 ERA (23.0ip/1er) during the month of May...Was 3-2 with a 0.52 ERA (34.1ip/2er) in his last six California League starts...Held lefthanders to a .129 average (4-for-31) while pitching with Lake Elsinore...Did not allow a run in three of his first four starts with Mobile (Padres' AA)...Earned sole Double-A victory on 5/31 @Huntsville, allowing just two hits while striking out 12 (7.0ip)...Tossed 12.0 scoreless innings over his final two starts with Mobile before having his contract purchased by San Diego on 6/11...Earned victory in his major league debut on 6/16 vs. Seattle (5.0ip/2er/7so)...Was the youngest player in the majors at the time of his debut (20 years and 305 days)...Became the youngest Padres pitcher to win his debut and the third-youngest San Diego hurler to start a game in club history...Also picked up the win in his second start on 6/21 vs. New York (AL), one of five pitchers in Padres history to post a victory in his first two starts (also Dave Freisleben - 1974; Joey Hamilton - 1994; Will Cunnane - 1997; and Brian Tollberg - 2002)...Surrendered four home runs in his first big-league loss on 7/1 @St. Louis (6.0ip/7er)...Tossed 6.2 scoreless innings and whiffed 13 batters while notching third victory on 7/7 @Colorado...Also picked up first major league hit on 7/7; a single off Shawn Chacon...Whiffed 47 batters in July, the third-highest total in the majors...Went 3-for-3 with a run scored and also suffered a strained left shoulder while diving back into first base on 8/6 vs. Philadelphia...Made first and only major league relief appearance on 9/2 vs. Colorado (1.0ip/0r/3so)...Posted a 0.69 ERA (13.0ip/1er) in three games (two starts) from 9/2-12...Lost consecutive starts on 9/18 vs. Arizona (4.0ip/5er) and 9/24 @San Francisco (4.0ip/4er), extending his losing streak to four games...Won his final start on 9/29 @Los Angeles (7.1ip/6h/0r), snapping a string of nine starts without a 'W'...Ranked among National League rookie pitchers in opponents batting average (.218 - 1st) and ERA (4th)...Averaged 9.4 strikeouts per 9.0 innings and would have tied for fourth in the league if he had qualified...Only Randy Johnson (11.6), Pedro Martinez (10.8), Curt Schilling (11.0), Roger Clemens (9.6) and Jason Schmidt (9.5) averaged more strikeouts per 9.0 innings as a starter...Allowed two runs or less in 10 of his 15 starts...Limited right-handed batters to a .191 average (46-for-241), but they hit 12 of the 13 homers he allowed...Went 4-for-30 (.133) at the plate.
2001
Spent second full campaign within the San Diego farm system with Fort Wayne (A) and Lake Elsinore...Was rated as the 10th-best prospect in the Padres organization by Baseball America prior to the season...Combined to go 10-9 with a 3.21 ERA (154.1ip/55er) in 28 starts with Fort Wayne and Lake Elsinore...Ranked third among all Padres farmhands with 160 strikeouts and sixth in ERA...Began season with the Wizards and led the club in wins and ERA...Went 5-0 with a 0.89 ERA (40.2ip/4er) in seven starts from 4/11 thru 5/14...Allowed just one hit and one unearned run, while striking out 11 in his victory on 5/4 vs. South Bend...Did not allow a run in back-to-back starts on 5/29 @Quad City (7.0ip) and 6/4 @Dayton (6.0ip)...Was named to the Midwest League's mid-season All-Star squad...Tossed 7.0 scoreless frames in his final Midwest League start on 7/16 vs. Quad City...Was promoted to Lake Elsinore on 7/19...Hurled a season-high 7.2 innings for the win on 8/18 vs. Bakersfield (1er/8so)...Did not allow more than three earned runs in any of his nine California League starts.
2000
Began season on loan by San Diego to Yucatan of the Mexican League...Went 1-0 with 1.80 ERA (15.0ip/3er) and one save in June with Yucatan before being sent back to the Padres on 6/22...Won first start with Idaho Falls (Advanced Rookie), allowing just one hit in 5.0 scoreless innings on 6/25 vs. Medicine Hat...Earned victories in his final two starts with the Rookie Padres...Was loaned back to Yucatan on 7/18...Was 2-2 with a 4.73 ERA (32.1ip/17er) in six starts and 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA (11.0ip/4er) with one save in five relief appearances in the Mexican League.
1999
Spent first professional season with Peoria (Rookie)...Lost his first two professional games, before earning the win on 7/11 @Mariners (2.0ip/0r)...Went 0-1 with a 7.50 ERA (6.0ip/5er) in two starts and 1-1 with a 4.43 ERA (22.1ip/11er) and three saves in 13 relief appearances in the Arizona League.
