Roberto Novoa #44

Roberto has pitched out of the bullpen in 65 Major League games since his big league debut in 2004 ... was converted to a reliever following the 2003 season ... was acquired by the Cubs from Detroit in February 2005 with infielder Scott Moore and outfielder Bo Flowers in exchange for pitcher Kyle Farnsworth ... originally signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Pirates in 2000 ... was traded to the Tigers organization in 2002 in a four-player deal that involved Randall Simon ... has compiled a 3.74 ERA in 128 minor league outings, striking out 332 batters in 476.2 innings on the mound.

2006

Novoa appeared in a career-high 66 games, and did not allow a run in 46 of those games. He stranded 29 of 38 inherited runners. In his last 15 relief appearances, Novoa gave up three earned runs over 14 innings for a 1.93 ERA. He struck out 14 in that stretch. Was credited with his second win Aug. 13 agianst Colorado after working two innings and striking out the 100th batter of his Major League career.

2005

Roberto saw his most extensive big league action in his first season with the Cubs, going 4-5 with 14 holds in 49 games ... had three stints with the club, as he was on the big league roster April 27-May 9, May 28-June 5 and June 25- end of the season ... was unscored upon in 35 of his 49 outings ... had a career-high 8.0-scoreless innings stint June 4-July 5, going 1-0 over the six-game span ... made his Cub debut April 27 against Cincinnati, working 1.0 inning in the 8-7 Cub win ... earned his first win of the year May 29, retiring two batters in the sixth inning in an 11-6 defeat of Colorado ... the Cubs scored 5 runs in the bottom half of the frame, giving him the win ... was 2-2 with 4 saves and a 3.29 ERA in 19 appearances for Iowa (AAA) ... held opponents to a .217 average, striking out 18 batters in 27.1 innings ... worked 2.0 or more innings in four games - and recorded a 1.04 ERA (1 ER/8.2 IP) in those appearances.

2004

Roberto started the season at Erie (AA), going 7-0 in 41 relief appearances with a 2.96 ERA - was utilized solely as a reliever for the first time in his career...saw his first big league action, appearing in 16 games for the Tigers and going 1-1 with a 5.57 ERA...made his major league debut July 29 against the White Sox and earned a hold in 0.1 innings on the mound...earned his first major league victory August 6 against Boston - fanning a career-high four batters in 1.1 innings...pitched more that 1.0 inning in 8 outings, while tossing a season-high 3.0 scoreless frames July 30 against the White Sox...at the Double-A level, he held righthanded batters to a .169 average, while holding lefties to a .286 average...appeared in 19 games for Licey in the Dominican Winter League, going 1-0 with a 5.04 ERA.

2003

Spent the season at Lakeland (A), going 4-5 with a 3.73 ERA in 19 games (15 starts) ... went 3-5 with a 3.58 ERA in his 15 starts, while going 1-0 with a 4.91 ERA in four relief outings ... tossed a pair of complete games, going the distance May 6 against Fort Myers and May 18 against Brevard County ... struck out a season-high 8 batters twice (June 5 and July 26) ... spent nearly three weeks on the disabled list (June 23-July 10) with a bruised left shin ... after the season, was named the Tigers' 21st-best prospect by Baseball America.

2002

Split the season between Hickory (A) and Williamsport (A) ... went 1-5 with a 5.48 ERA in 10 starts for Hickory ... won his first outing on April 8 after allowing no earned runs over 5.1 innings, but did not win another decision at Hickory the rest of the season ... made 12 starts for Williamsport, going 8-3 with a 3.65 ERA ... earned wins in three consecutive outings August 13-August 24, allowing 5 runs over 17.0 innings ... struck out a season-high 11 batters at Brooklyn September 3.

2001

Roberto spent the season at Williamsport (A), going 5-5 with a 3.39 ERA in 14 games (13 starts) ... earned four wins in July, going 4-1 with a 2.15 ERA in six starts ... struck out a career-high 12 batters August 3 against Oneonta - allowed 4 earned runs in the 7.0-inning complete game ... named by Baseball America as the 25th-best prospect in the Pirates organization.

2000

Roberto spent his first season in professional baseball in the Pirates Rookie League club in the Dominican Summer League - went 4-6 with a 4.15 ERA in 13 starts.