Eduardo

Perez

Perez, who is under contract for $950,000 next season, has been sidelined since May with the injury, but should be ready to compete for a bench role in spring training of 2005.

He will be out of action for the rest of the season.

Perez appears to be in fine shape. ''I feel good,’' he said. ''I’m going to take it a moment at a time, but I’m not going to hold back.’' Perez will make the Rays as a bench player and get starts against left-handers.

Perez hit a two-run homer off Randy Johnson in the sixth, giving him four against the Big Unit in his career. Perez then added a solo homer off Mariano Rivera with one out in the ninth to tie the game at 3-3. Lastly, Perez drew a two-out walk with a runner on third in the 11th, forcing the Yankees to intentionally walk Aubrey Huff and eventually walk Jonny Gomes to force in the winning run.

Hector Gomez and Ernesto Jerez of ESPN reported that it was a done deal, but that seems to have been premature, as Martino notes that the interview process is ongoing. We should have final clarification in the next couple of days.

There were reports on Friday that Perez had emerged as the clear frontrunner in the race for the position, so this doesn’t come as a major surprise. Perez, who has worked as a television analyst and has no managerial experience, is expected to be formally announced after the World Series.

Perez has been doing about as much as possible while platooning with Ben Broussard at first base. He’s 24-for-72 with eight doubles and seven homers while starting exclusively against left-handers. He may not continue hitting .333, but Perez should be a cheap source for a few homers in AL-only formats.

We’re guessing this will end Roberto Petagine’s stint with the club. Although he would have been a better choice that Carl Everett against right-handers, Petagine was never much of a fit on a team that needed no help at first base and wasn’t interested in using him at DH. Perez will take over as Everett’s platoon partner and give the team a significant boost against left-handed pitchers. His fantasy value should be pretty much unchanged.

Perez, who was hurt last night, struck out in the eighth inning and stayed in to play first base.

Perez is out for the season with an Achilles’ tendon suffered in May.