Current Contract:
Contract renewable through 2009.

Became a Cardinal:
Selected in the fourth round of the June, 2003 First-Year Player Draft. Received a $220,550 signing bonus.

2006 Season:
Michael went on the disabled list on July 18 with nerve irritation in his elbow and missed the remainder of the season. Before that, he had a 5.64 ERA in 97.1 innings pitched for high Class A Palm Beach.

Career Notes:
In 2003, posted a 3.17 ERA in 54 innings pitched for short-season Class A New Jersey, striking out 56 and walking 20. In 2004, he did not miss a start in the first half of the season for low Class A Peoria, but injured his shoulder in a start on July 26 and eventually needed surgery after a MRI revealed a frayed rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder as well as a micro tear in the ligament next to the humorous. He missed nearly two months (May 26 - July 20) with shoulder tendonitis in 2005.

Photo: Palm Beach Cardinals