Ismael Valdez attended and pitched at Mexico High School in Ciudad Victoria, Mexico (graduated in 1991)...Married his wife Karina on November 27, 1999...Was signed by Mike Brito (Dodgers) at the age of 17 in June of 1991.
2005
Opened the season on the disabled list after with a hairline fracture to his right fibula. Went on the DL April 14, retro to April 4. Activated off the DL on July 22. Appeared in 14 games with seven starts. Made his first appearance on July 22 at San Francisco, giving up one earned run on two hits in two innings of relief. Picked up his first win on Aug. 1 at St. Louis, giving up four earned runs in five innings. Made his last start on Sept. 11, suffering a loss at Philadelphia, giving up six runs in 2 1/3 innings. Beat Washington on Sept. 6, allowing two runs in five innings.
2004
Posted a 14-9 record with a 5.19 ERA in 34 combined appearances (31 starts) with the Marlins and San Diego Padres...fell one win shy of matching his career-best of 15, done 1996 with the Los Angeles Dodgers...was acquired by Florida from the Padres on July 31 in exchange for minor league RHP Travis Chick...went 5-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 56.0 innings over 11 starts as a Marlin...Compiled a 9-3 record and a 2.55 ERA with a .223 BAA in 16 games (15 starts) at home...ranked fifth in the NL in home ERA, behind Oliver Perez (2.21), Jake Peavy (2.21), Carlos Zambrano (2.38) and Randy Johnson (2.47)...his BAA at home ranked 13th-best in the NL...went 5-6 with an 8.56 ERA and a .368 BAA in 18 games (16 starts) on the road...based on a minimum of 70.0 innings pitched on the road, had the highest ERA and BAA in the Majors...The Marlins and Padres went 21-13 in his 34 games and 19-12 in his 31 starting assignments...San Diego went 14-9 in Valdez's 23 games as a Padre and 7-4 in his 11 games with Florida...Began the season with a 3-0 record and a 2.42 ERA over his first six games (three starts)...made his first start of the year in his fourth outing, April 17 vs. Arizona, as he allowed two runs on five hits in 6.0 innings...won each of his first three starts (April 17-27), with a 1.83 ERA (6 R, 4 ER in 19.2 IP)...the third win was an 8.0-inning shutout effort vs. Montreal, when he allowed four hits and fanned two...Following the three-game win streak, went 6-6 with a 6.28 ERA in his final 17 games with the Padres (.318 BAA)...included consecutive wins over the Brewers (May 30 on the road and June 5 at home) and a second season-high three-game win streak (3-0, 4.60 ERA from July 6-19)...also went through a pair of two-game losing slide over that span (over five games from May 2-25 and June 26-July 1)...Made his Marlins debut on August 7 vs. Milwaukee and earned the win, tossing 6.0 innings of scoreless two-hit ball, walking three and fanning three...As a Marlin, went 3-1 with a 1.50 ERA and a .198 BAA in his five home starts and was 2-2 with a 7.96 ERA and a .351 BAA in his six road starts...began his Florida career with 13.2 scoreless innings at home and allowed his first run at Dolphins Stadium in the second inning on September 9 vs. the Mets...on the road, allowed four-plus runs in five of his six starts, with the exception coming on September 28 at Montreal (2 R, 2 ER in 5.2 IP)...Went 3-1 over his first five starts with Florida, from August 7-September 1...in those games, posted a 4.00 ERA, allowing 13 runs
(12 ER) on 28 hits in 27.0 innings...went 2-2 with a 4.97 ERA over his final six starts of the year (16 ER in 29.0 IP)...Did not allow a run in any of his three home wins as a Marlin: August 7 vs. Milwaukee (0 R in 6.0 IP), August 27 vs. Colorado (0 R in 6.2 IP) and September 19 vs. Atlanta (0 R in 6.0 IP)...Collected his first road win as a Marlin and first road victory overall since July 19 at Colorado, on September 1 at New York (NL), for his 100th Major League victory...became the 36th active pitcher in the Majors to reach the century mark in victories...allowed four runs on seven hits in 5.0 innings for the win...Was tied for fourth in the NL in home wins, with Jose Lima, Jason Marquis, Matt Morris, Jason Schmidt and Steve Trachsel, behind Roger Clemens (12), Roy Oswalt (11) and Carlos Zambrano (10)...began his season with a 2-2 record and a 3.54 ERA in his first five home games...beginning June 5, went 7-1 with a 2.14 ERA and a .221 BAA in his final 11 home games...included a 6-0 run with a 1.98 ERA over eight home starts, from June 5-August 27...Allowed a .294 batting average, including 33 home runs (tied for fourth in the NL)...saw left-handed hitters bat .294 and righties hit .295...allowed 26 of his 33 homers on the road, the most road homers allowed in the Majors on the season...Fanned a season-high five batters on May 20 at Pittsburgh and September 28 at Montreal and issued a season-high four walks four times.
2002
Ismael went 8-12, 4.18 in 31 starts with Texas and Seattle. He was 2nd on the Rangers staff in innings (146.2) and 3rd in wins (6) and starts (23) while posting the 2nd best era among the Texas starters (3.93). Ismael was traded to Seattle on August 18 and was 2-3 in 8 starts the rest of the year.
He issued just 2.16 walks per 9 innings for the entire season, 10th best among American League qualifiers.
Texas: Dropped his 1st 2 starts of the season (8 er/11.1 ip), extending his losing streak to 6 over 2 years...Was 4-3, 3.06 (22 er/64.2 ip) over his next 10 games, putting his era at 3.55 through June 10...Permitted 4 runs in 4 innings in a loss at Houston on June 15, then was 1-1, 3.76 (21 er/50.1 ip) in next 7 outings...Went 1-2, 5.76 (13 er/20.1 ip) in last 3 games with the Rangers before trade to Seattle.
Worked 7 or more innings in 10 of 23 starts with the Rangers...Longest effort was 8.1 innings on June 10 vs. Cincinnati, losing shutout on balk in the 9th...Left 6 times in a position to receive a victory only to get a no decision, including 3 straight games, May 26-June 5...Retired 1st 18 batters, June 20 at the Cubs, before Moises Alou's leadoff single in the 7th...Had season best 8 strikeouts, Aug. 8 at Detroit...Was scratched from start on May 9 vs. the White Sox with lower back stiffness...Also left starts early with stiff back, sore left knee, and a blister.
Seattle: Won his Mariners debut on Aug. 21 in Detroit and was 2-1, 4.63 (12 er/23.1 ip) in 1st 4 starts with Seattle...Went 0-2, 5.19 (15 er/26 ip) in final 4 outings...Left after 4 innings with blister on Sept. 24 vs. Oakland...Season's lone complete game came in final start on Oct. 1 at Anaheim, an 8-inning loss...Threw season high 129 pitches in that game...Had gone 48 starts since previous complete game on June 1, 2001 vs. Kansas City.
Overall: Opponents had overall average of .257, .255 (105-411) vs. lefthanded batters and .259 (89-344) against righthanders...His 8 wins were 2nd fewest ever in a full season (2 in 2000)...Received 4.27 runs of support per 9 innings (93 runs/196 innings), the 5th lowest figure among qualifying A.L. pitchers.
Previous Career Highlights:
Career: Has posted a 4.61 era (239 er/466.2 ip) in the last 3 seasons after entering 2000 with a 3.38 career era, 10th best among active starting pitchers at the time...Career opponents average is .255 (1458-5718), .248 (741-2984) vs. righthanded batters and .262 (717-2734) against lefthanders...Is 45-40, 3.11 (266 er/770.2 ip) in 125 games in his home park, holding opponents to .236 (684-2893) average.
2001: Was 4th on Angels staff in wins (9) and strikeouts (100) and ranked 5th in starts (27) and innings (163.2)... Opened the season on disabled list with a split nail on his right middle finger...Was activated on April 14 and lost his 1st 2 starts, despite a 3.29 era (5 er/13.2 ip)...Went 2-0, 2.45 (5 er/18.1 ip) in his next 3 outings and had a 2.81 era through May 9...Went back on d.l. on June 15 a sore right shoulder...Was activated on July 5 and went 4-2, 2.26 (13 er/51.2 ip) in his 1st 8 starts after return...Beginning Aug. 20, was 1-7, 7.29 (34 er/42 ip) in his final 8 appearances...Tied for 5th in A.L. in losses (team high 13)...His stolen base on June 8 at Los Angeles was just the 4th by an A.L. pitcher at the time since dh rule was instituted in 1973, the 1st since 1988.
2000: Was 2-7, 5.64 (67 er/107 ip) in 21 games/20 starts with the Cubs and Dodgers...Were fewest wins and highest era of career...Started season on Chicago's disabled list with right shoulder tendonitis before being activated on May 9...Was 2-4, 5.37 in 12 starts with the Cubs, winning on May 19 vs. Cincinnati and July 23 vs. Milwaukee...Was traded to Los Angeles on July 26 and was 0-3, 6.08 in 9 games/8 starts...Pitched scoreless inning in lone relief appearance, Aug. 15 at Florida, then started vs. the Marlins the next day...Hit 1st major league homer, Aug. 22 vs. Montreal's Trey Moore.
1999: Ranked 2nd on the Dodgers in innings (203.1) and 3rd in starts (32) and strikeouts (143)...Los Angeles was 2-13 in his 15 starts decided by a single run and scored just 39 runs in his 14 defeats...Hurled 7-hit shutout, Aug. 27 vs. Chicago.
1998: Tied for 2nd on L.A. staff in wins (11)...Pitched one-hit shutout, June 27 vs. Pittsburgh, retiring 1st 21 batters before Kevin Young's leadoff single in the 8th...Was 7-3, 2.92 in final 14 starts...Was disabled, July 27-Sept. 1 with a oblique muscle strain.
1997: Had the N.L.'s 4th lowest era (2.65) while holding opponents to .234 average, 10th lowest in league...Was just 10-11 as Dodgers scored 2 or fewer runs in 13 of 30 starts...Pitched into 7th inning 20 times, including each of last 11 outings...Posted a 1.95 era in final 15 contests.
1996: Finished among the N.L. leaders in winning percentage (3rd, .682), wins (T9th, 15), era (10th, 3.32) and innings (10th, 225)...Held opponents to 2 or fewer runs in 19 of 33 starts...Won 8 of last 10 decisions, going 4-0, 2.98 in final 6 starts...Lost to Atlanta in Game 2 of Division Series.
1995: Was 3rd in the N.L. in complete games (6), 4th in era (3.05) and opponents batting average (.228), 7th in innings (197.2) and 8th in strikeouts (150)...Won 5 straight starts, including 3 complete game victories, June 1-23...Fanned career high 11 batters, Aug. 16 vs. Chicago...Recorded 1st major league save, May 7 at Colorado...Had no decision vs. Cincinnati in start in Game 2 of Division Series.
Pro Career: Made 8 starts at San Antonio to open 1994...Was promoted to Albuquerque on May 20 and became youngest player in N.L. at age 20 when Dodgers purchased his contract on June 8...Pitched in relief in major league debut on June 15 against Cincinnati and recorded 1st win on July 5 vs. Montreal...Made only start on July 18 at New York, leaving after one inning due to a blister...Was sent to Albuquerque in August...Pitched most of 1993 on loan to Mexico City Tigers before joining San Antonio in August...Also spent 1st portion of 1992 at Mexico City before joining La Vega in Summer Dominican League in late June...Began pro career at Gulf Coast Dodgers in 1991.
2001
Ismael finished 4th on the Anaheim Angels staff in wins (9) and strikeouts (100) and ranked 5th in starts (27) and innings (163.2). His 4.45 era was the 2nd highest of his career.
Summary/Injuries: Opened the season on the disabled list with a split nail on his right middle finger...Was activated on April 14 and lost his 1st 2 starts, despite a 3.29 era (5 er/13.2 ip)...Went 2-0, 2.45 (5 er/18.1 ip) in his next 3 outings and had a 2.81 era through May 9...Was 0-1, 7.11 (15 er/19 ip) in final 3 starts in May before issuing one run in 15.2 innings to win 1st 2 June appearances...Pitched 6-hit complete game on June 1 vs. Kansas City, then tossed 6.2 scoreless frames in a combined 1-0 shutout at Los Angeles on June 8...Allowed 8 runs in 3.1 innings in next turn on June 14 at San Francisco before being disabled the following day with a sore right shoulder.
Was activated on July 5 and went 4-2, 2.26 (13 er/51.2 ip) in his 1st 8 starts after return...Beginning Aug. 20, was 1-7, 7.29 (34 er/42 ip) in his final 8 appearances...Dropped 1st 3 outings in that span before defeating Kansas City on Sept. 5...Then was 0-4, 7.71 (18 er/21 ip) in last 4 starts.
2001 Notes: Worked 6 or more innings in 18 of 27 starts and allowed 3 or fewer earned runs 19 times...Fanned season high 7 twice, June 1 vs. Kansas City and July 29 against Baltimore...Opponents hit .277, .261 (83-318) vs. righthanders and .294 (94-320) against lefthanded batters...Of 20 homers allowed, 17 came with the bases empty...Tied for 5th in A.L. in losses (team high 13)...Angels were 10-17 in his 27 starts...Handled 41 errorless chances in the field...His stolen base on June 8 at Los Angeles was just the 4th by an A.L. pitcher since dh rule was instituted in 1973, the 1st since 1988.
Career: Has posted a 4.92 era (148 er/270.2 ip) in the last 2 seasons after entering 2000 with a 3.38 career era, 10th best among active starting pitchers at the time...Career opponents average is .255 (1264-4963), .247 (652-2640) vs. righthanded batters and .263 (612-2363) against lefthanders...Has a 2.92 (220 er/677.1 ip) career era in his home park.
2000
Was 2-7, 5.64 (67 er/107 ip) in 21 games/20 starts with the Cubs and Dodgers...Were fewest wins and highest era of career...Started season on Chicago's disabled list with right shoulder tendonitis before being activated on May 9...Was 2-4, 5.37 in 12 starts with the Cubs, winning on May 19 vs. Cincinnati and July 23 vs. Milwaukee...Was traded to Los Angeles on July 26 and was 0-3, 6.08 in 9 games/8 starts...Pitched scoreless inning in lone relief appearance, Aug. 15 at Florida, then started vs. the Marlins the next day...Hit 1st major league homer, Aug. 22 vs. Montreal's Trey Moore.
1999
Ranked 2nd on the Dodgers in innings (203.1) and 3rd in starts (32) and strikeouts (143)...Los Angeles was 2-13 in his 15 starts decided by a single run and scored just 39 runs in his 14 defeats...Hurled 7-hit shutout, Aug. 27 vs. Chicago.
1998
Tied for 2nd on L.A. staff in wins (11)...Pitched one-hit shutout, June 27 vs. Pittsburgh, retiring 1st 21 batters before Kevin Young's leadoff single in the 8th...Was 7-3, 2.92 in final 14 starts...Was disabled, July 27-Sept. 1 with a oblique muscle strain.
1997
Had the N.L.'s 4th lowest era (2.65) while holding opponents to .234 average, 10th lowest in league...Was just 10-11 as Dodgers scored 2 or fewer runs in 13 of 30 starts...Pitched into 7th inning 20 times, including each of last 11 outings...Posted a 1.95 era in final 15 contests.
1996
Finished among the N.L. leaders in winning percentage (3rd, .682), wins (T9th, 15), era (10th, 3.32) and innings (10th, 225)...Held opponents to 2 or fewer runs in 19 of 33 starts...Won 8 of last 10 decisions, going 4-0, 2.98 in final 6 starts...Lost to Atlanta in Game 2 of Division Series.
1995
Was 3rd in the N.L. in complete games (6), 4th in era (3.05) and opponents batting average (.228), 7th in innings (197.2) and 8th in strikeouts (150)...Won 5 straight starts, including 3 complete game victories, June 1-23...Fanned career high 11 batters, Aug. 16 vs. Chicago...Recorded 1st major league save, May 7 at Colorado...Had no decision vs. Cincinnati in start in Game 2 of Division Series.
