Cubs Pitcher Juan Mateo to Make Rehab Start Sunday with Chiefs
May 30, 2007 - Midwest League (MWL1)
Peoria Chiefs News Release
Peoria, IL- The Peoria Chiefs in conjunction with the Chicago Cubs have announced that RHP Juan Mateo will make a rehab start in Peoria on Sunday when the Chiefs take on the Beloit Snappers at 2:00 PM. The Chiefs have one open spot on the 25-man roster which will be filled by Mateo on Sunday.
The Cubs have not yet announced how long Mateo will pitch or what his pitch count will be. As of now he is on the Chiefs roster as a regular pitcher and could make multiple starts in a Chiefs uniform. Robert Hernandez, who has made three starts and is Sunday's scheduled starter, will now follow Mateo out of the Chiefs bullpen. Tickets for Sunday's game against first place Beloit are available at www.peoriachiefs.com, by calling 1-866-MYTICKET or at the O'Brien Field Box Office.
The 24-year old Mateo has not pitched in 2007 at any level after making 11 appearances last year with the Cubs, 10 of which were starts. He made his first major league start on August 3rd against Arizona where he became the first Cubs starter since John Kornoka to win his first Major League start. He threw five innings against the Diamondbacks while allowing two earned runs and striking out two in a 7-3 victory.
In his 10 major league starts he has worked at least six innings two times and seven innings once. Juan also had three consecutive starts in September where he allowed two or less earned runs. He had a 1.93 ERA and held opposing hitters to a .170 batting average over that span. He finished the '06 season with a 1-3 mark with a 5.32 ERA.
Mateo made the jump from AA to the Cubs in just his fifth professional season. While at AA West Tennessee in 2006 he went 7-4 with a 2.82 ERA in 18 games. Juan spent the 2005 season with High-A Daytona where he went 10-5 and set career highs in innings pitched (109.1), starts (16) and strikeouts (123).
Mateo's start with the Chiefs adds to Peoria's rehab list over the past three seasonas part of the Cubs organization. Shortstop Nomar Garciaparra played in two Chiefs games in 2005. Kerry Wood made two rehab relief appearance in 2005 and a start in 2006. Mark Prior made two starts in 2006, Scott Williamson made a relief appearance in 2006 and Wade Miller made five starts last season as well. Former AA lefty Chris Shaver just finished a rehab in Peoria making three starts before moving to High-A Daytona.
Sunday is Bark-in-the-Park Day and WHOI Kids Count Day at O'Brien Field with a 2:00 PM first pitch. Fans are invited to bring their dogs with them to the game this day but must keep them on the lawn outfield lawn areas. Dog tickets are $2 with the proceeds going to PAWS and TAPS. Jake the Diamond Dog also will be making a return appearance to the stadium on Sunday. Jake will be providing in-game entertainment such as fetching bats from the plate, bringing the umpires water in-between innings as well as greeting fans on the concourse. Also Sunday will mark the first Chiefs baseball card set giveaway presented by WHOI TV-19 and American.
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