Ryan

Perry

After Perry gave up three singles to start the inning, the Rangers’ Nelson Cruz drove his fourth pitch into the stands for the first walk-off grand slam in MLB postseason history. It was the reliever’s first blemish in four playoff appearances.

Perry posted a 2.25 ERA in eight innings this spring but failed to win a spot in the Nationals’ talented big-league bullpen. He’ll function as relief depth this year.

Perry, who was acquired from the Tigers over the winter, was a first round pick in the 2008 draft. He had been pitching well for Syracuse, with a 2.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts and two saves in nine innings of work. He’ll likely be used in a setup role for Henry Rodriguez.

No word yet on a corresponding roster move, but Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo is set to make a “newsworthy baseball announcement” shortly. We’re guessing it will likely have something to do with a possible stint on the disabled list for Ryan Zimmerman. Perry, who was acquired from the Tigers over the winter, has a 2.00 ERA and 11/4 K/BB ratio over nine innings this season at the Triple-A level.

Perry once looked like the Tigers’ closer of the future when he was selected in the first round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft, but the organization clearly soured on him after he posted a 5.36 ERA and 24/21 K/BB ratio over 37 innings this past season. The 24-year-old right-hander still throws hard, but has simply struggled to put batters away on the big-league level. Still, it’s a worthwhile gamble for Washington.

Perry posted a 10.13 ERA and 1.75 WHIP over seven appearances since getting the call in late April. He’ll return to a 2.00 ERA and 11 strikeouts over nine innings of work at Syracuse.

Perry failed to make much of an impression as a reliever this year in Washington, posting a rough 10.13 ERA and 1.75 WHIP in seven appearances. The former first-round pick of the Tigers was a starter in college and boasts a big arm. It seems like an experiment worth trying.

The move clears a 40-man roster spot for Taylor Jordan, who will debut on Saturday against the Mets. Perry has an 8.52 ERA in 43 1/3 minor league innings this year.

Perry was sporting a 5.00 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in nine innings this season in the Nationals’ minor league system. He hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2012.

Perry was not with the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens on Thursday night, sparking speculation among Detroit-based beat writers. He was 0-1 with a 3.13 ERA, 22 strikeouts and a 1.52 WHIP in 23 innings with the Tigers this season and should have never been demoted in the first place. His return could result in Jeremy Bonderman (shoulder) being placed on the disabled list.