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Rafael Pérez (baseball)

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Rafael Jerome Pérez (born May 15, 1982) is a Dominican former left-handed professional baseball relief pitcher. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent in January 2002 and played with them through 2012. He lives in Freeport, New York, on Long Island.

Rafael Pérez
Perez with the Cleveland Indians
Pitcher
Born: (1982-05-15) May 15, 1982 (age 42)
Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
April 20, 2006, for the Cleveland Indians
Last appearance
April 28, 2012, for the Cleveland Indians
MLB statistics
Win–loss record21–12
Earned run average3.64
Strikeouts268
Teams

Professional career

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Cleveland Indians

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In 2002, Pérez finished second in the Dominican Summer League with a 0.96 ERA.[1] In 2003, he was named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year playing for the Rookie-level Burlington Indians, going 9–3 with a 1.70 ERA in 13 games (12 starts).[2][3] His nine wins led the Appalachian League.[4] In 2005, his 12 wins tied for third in Indians organization and he had a 2.62 ERA in 29 combined appearances (22 starts) for the Single-A Kinston Indians and Double-A Akron Aeros.[1][2] He was added to the Indians 40-man roster in November. In 2006, Pérez went 4–5 with a 2.81 ERA in 12 starts with Akron, and was 0–3 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 relief appearances with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.[2]

On April 20, 2006, Pérez was recalled by Cleveland when Matt Miller was placed on the disabled list.[5] He made his MLB debut that day against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching one inning and striking out two.[6] Pérez made 18 appearances with Cleveland in 2006, posting a 4.38 ERA.[7]

Pérez was not expected to be a major part of the Indians' major league club in 2007, but he surprised the Indians organization after he was called up from the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, on May 28.[8] Pérez was initially slated for long relief, but after he demonstrated his ability to pitch in tight situations, he was inserted into a setup role alongside right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt. The two setup men were nicknamed Raffy Left and Raffy Right by local Indians fans.[9] Pérez, with his hard fastball and tight slider, quickly became one of the most dominant relievers in the league. In 2007, Pérez was 1–2 with one save and a sparkling 1.78 ERA over 602⁄3 innings pitched in 44 appearances.[7] He had a WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) of only .923, and held left-handed batters to just a .145 batting average. ESPN analyst Peter Gammons called him "arguably the best left-handed reliever on the planet."[10]

In the 2007 postseason, Pérez was excellent in the 2007 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, going 1–0 with a 1.50 ERA in three games. He threw six innings, allowing one earned run and striking out six.[7] However, in the 2007 American League Championship Series, Pérez faltered, posting a 45.00 ERA in three games, with eight runs (five earned) allowed in one inning.[7] The Indians went on to lose the series in seven games to the Boston Red Sox.[11]

Pérez spent the entire 2008 season with Cleveland, going 4–4 with two saves and a 3.54 ERA in 73 relief appearances. He struck out 86 batters in 76+1⁄3 innings pitched.[7]

The 2009 season was a difficult one for Pérez. He began the season with a 15.19 ERA in 13 games, and was sent to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on May 6.[12] On May 29, Pérez was recalled from Columbus after David Dellucci was designated for assignment.[13] He was sent down again on July 8, and recalled again on August 7 for the remainder of the season.[14][15] Pérez finished the season with a 4–3 record and a 7.31 ERA in 54 relief appearances.[7]

In 2010, Pérez rebounded from his 2009 campaign, going 6–1 with a 3.25 ERA in 70 relief appearances.[7] He led all Indians relievers in wins and tied for the team lead in appearances with fellow left-hander Tony Sipp.[16] Pérez posted similar numbers in 2011, with a 5–2 record and a 3.00 ERA in 71 appearances.[7]

Pérez began the 2012 season 1–0 with a 3.52 ERA in eight relief appearances,[7] but was eventually placed on the disabled list on April 27 due to a strained side muscle.[17] He was initially expected to miss up to six weeks,[17] but suffered several setbacks, and he eventually underwent surgery on his shoulder in September.[18] On November 28, Pérez was designated for assignment.[19] Two days later, he elected free agency.[7]

2013: Minnesota, Boston

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On February 14, 2013, Pérez signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins.[20][21] He was released on May 17[22] after appearing in only four games for the Rochester Red Wings and signed with the Boston Red Sox organization on May 23.[23] With the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, he pitched in 25 games and was 2–2 with six saves and a 2.64 ERA.[2]

2014: Texas, Mexico, Pittsburgh

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Pérez signed a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on January 18, 2014,[24] but only appeared in four games for the Triple-A Round Rock Express before he was released on April 17.[25][26] He spent the next few months in the Mexican League with the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz, where he was 3–5 with a 3.92 ERA in 10 games (eight starts).[2] He signed a minor league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates on July 12, 2014.[27] He was assigned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, where he was 3–1 with a 1.77 ERA in 10 games (eight starts).[2]

Seattle Mariners

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Pérez signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners on February 12, 2015.[28] He was invited to spring training, but did not make the team.[29] His release was announced on July 2.[30]

Chunichi Dragons

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On July 13, 2015, Pérez signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball for the remainder of the 2015 season.[31] He appeared in just four games with the Dragons, going 0–1 with a 1.64 ERA.[2]

Tigres de Quintana Roo

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On March 28, 2016, Pérez signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican Baseball League.

Long Island Ducks

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On March 28, 2017, Perez signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He became a free agent after the 2017 season.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Rafael Perez Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". MLB.com. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Rafael Pérez Minor, Winter, Mexican, Japanese & Independent Leagues Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  3. ^ "Appalachian League Award Winners". Appalachian League. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  4. ^ "2003 Appalachian League Pitching Leaders". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  5. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (April 20, 2006). "Indians place Miller on DL, recall Perez". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  6. ^ Castrovince, Anthony (June 9, 2006). "Performance cost Sauerbeck". Cleveland Indians. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved October 26, 2010.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Rafael Pérez Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  8. ^ Call, Andy (July 3, 2007). "Cleveland gets boost from Perez's leap". Peoria Journal Star. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  9. ^ Hackenberg, Dave (October 12, 2007). "A reasonable look at Cleveland-Boston series". Toledo Blade. Retrieved April 18, 2014.
  10. ^ Gammons, Peter (September 10, 2007). "Halos and Tribe are dangerous". ESPN. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
  11. ^ "2007 ALCS - Boston Red Sox over Cleveland Indians (4-3)". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  12. ^ "Perez demoted; Sowers on deck". The News-Herald. Associated Press. May 7, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  13. ^ "Indians Designate Dellucci, Recall Perez". Dayton Daily News. May 29, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  14. ^ Hoynes, Paul (July 8, 2009). "Cleveland Indians option Rafael Perez to Class AAA Columbus". The Plain Dealer. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  15. ^ "Indians call up Perez, Masterson joins rotation". ESPN. Associated Press. August 7, 2009. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  16. ^ "2010 Cleveland Indians Statistics". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Indians shelve reliever Perez with strained side". ESPN. Associated Press. April 27, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  18. ^ "Indians report: Rafael Perez has shoulder surgery; Ubaldo Jimenez also done for season". Akron Beacon Journal. September 27, 2012. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  19. ^ Gleeman, Aaron (November 28, 2012). "Indians designate Rafael Perez for assignment". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
  20. ^ "Twins sign lefty Rafael Perez". ESPN. Associated Press. February 14, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  21. ^ "Left-hander R. Perez invited to camp". Minnesota Twins. MLB.com. February 14, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  22. ^ Berardino, Mike (May 17, 2013). "Minnesota Twins release pitcher Rafael Perez". St. Paul Pioneer Press. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  23. ^ Eddy, Matt (June 1, 2013). "Minor League Transactions: May 22–29". Baseball America. Archived from the original on June 8, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  24. ^ Nowak, Joey (January 18, 2014). "Texas signs veteran lefty Perez, offers invite to camp". Texas Rangers. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  25. ^ Eddy, Matt (April 19, 2014). "Minor League Transactions: April 11–17". Baseball America. Archived from the original on April 22, 2014. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  26. ^ Fraley, Gerry (April 19, 2014). "Fraley: Rangers continue to test depth with longest disabled list in the MLB". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  27. ^ Sawchik, Travis (July 12, 2014). "Pirates notebook: Similarity found in Alvarez throwing errors". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  28. ^ "Mariners sign LHP Rafael Perez to Minor League contract". Seattle Mariners. MLB.com. February 12, 2015. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
  29. ^ Divish, Ryan (March 20, 2015). "Another round of cuts from big-league camp". The Seattle Times. Retrieved February 13, 2016.
  30. ^ Dutton, Bob (July 2, 2015). "Mariners designate Bloomquist for assignment to clear space for Taylor". The Bellingham Herald. Retrieved February 14, 2016.
  31. ^ "Dragons acquire veteran pitchers Naylor, Perez". The Japan Times. July 13, 2015. Archived from the original on January 17, 2017. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
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