From beat writer Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 in Cleveland comes word that Indians closer Chris Perez is expected to be sidelined for the next 4-6 weeks after suffering a left internal oblique strain during his first bullpen session of the spring.
Tribe trainer Lonnie Soloff told reporters Sunday in camp that Perez’s “body wasn’t ready for the intensity” of the throwing session, hinting at a possible offseason conditioning issue.
The Indians aren’t ruling him out for Opening Day, but Perez would have to return on the early side of his recovery timetable and then really grind over the final few weeks of spring training in order to avoid landing on the season-opening disabled list.
If Perez isn’t ready, look for talented setup man Vinnie Pestano to handle save chances in the early going.
