Contract Details:
Under club control.

*Must remain on active 25-man roster or 15-day disabled list for all of the 2006 season, or the Cardinals must offer him back to the Cubs for $25,000.

Became a Cardinal:
Selected from the Chicago Cubs in the Major League Phase of the Rule 5 Draft on December 8, 2005.

2005 Season:
Mateo began the season pitching out of the bullpen for high Class A Daytona. In 16 appearances in relief, he was 4-1 with an ERA of 3.00. Moved into the starting rotation in late May, Mateo proceeded to win six starts to finish the year with a 3.28 ERA in his 16 starts while logging 82 1/3 innings there. Overall, he was 10-5 with a 3.21 ERA in 109 1/3 innings, striking out 123 and walking 27.

Career Notes:
Mateo was signed by the Cubs out of the Dominican Republic in 2001 and pitched in the Dominican Summer League in 2002. Since coming up and pitching for low Class A Lansing in 2003, Mateo had made only one start prior to the 2005 season. In three minor league seasons he has gone 18-7 with a 3.35 ERA, allowing 197 hits, striking out 218 and walking 60 in 217-2/3 innings.

Photo: West Tenn Diamond Jaxx