Rafael

Perez

Perez, who was up with the Indians as a reliever for a couple of days during April, is 4-5 with a 2.98 ERA, 49 H and 50/20 K/BB in 63 1/3 IP for Akron. There’s little chance of him breaking into the Cleveland rotation anytime soon, but he might get another look out of the pen.

Perez, who spent a couple of days with the Indians in April, will move into the Cleveland pen and get a look as a specialist. The 24-year-old had a 2.81 ERA in 12 starts for Akron.

Perez has been slowed this spring due to shoulder soreness, but his Cactus League debut shouldn’t be far away. Barring any setbacks, the 29-year-old southpaw should be able to get enough innings to be ready for the start of the season.

Perez had pitched well in the early going and had carved out a role as a trusted lefty in the bullpen. Nick Hagadone has been recalled from Triple-A Columbus to replace Perez in the bullpen.

The issue is not believed to be serious and Perez should be able to resume throwing soon. The 29-year-old left-hander posted a 3.00 ERA and 33/19 K/BB ratio over 63 innings last season.

Perez has been on the disabled list since early April with a strained lat muscle. He began throwing long toss earlier this week and could return to the Indians’ bullpen by the end of May assuming no further setbacks.

Perez has been slowed this spring due to shoulder soreness, but Acta said his bullpen session on Thursday went well. The 29-year-old southpaw shouldn’t need many innings to get ready for the season, so the most important thing is that he’s feeling good.

Perez landed on the DL in late April with a strained lat and was given a 3-6 week timetable for return. Since he’s just now at the beginning stages of his throwing program, he seems likely to remain out until at least the end of the month.

Perez has thrown the last two days without any issues, so he appears to be over a bout of shoulder soreness. The 29-year-old left-hander posted a 3.00 ERA and 33/19 K/BB ratio over 63 innings last season and will be relied on as a setup man again in 2012.

The severity of the injury isn’t yet known. Perez holds a 3.52 ERA and 4/4 K/BB ratio over 7 2/3 innings so far this season. Nick Hagadone has been called up from Triple-A Columbus and will replace him in the bullpen.