Timo

Perez

Perez plays against righties, but his 624 OPS with no stolen bases in three attempts isn’t going to help any fantasy squad.

Manager Ozzie Guillen has stated that he will use the player with the “hot bat” in center field for the forseeable future, and right now that is Perez. Although Aaron Rowand will get his first start today in close to a week, it is only due to lefty Johan Santana being on the mound for the Twins. Perez may have marginal fantasy value if he continues to start in center field against right-handed pitching, but he is far from a long-term solution.

Perez likely will be activated from the DL tomorrow in Texas.

Perez was hitting .318/.375/.508 for Memphis, but it’s been a long time since he’s made any sort of positive contribution in the majors. Unless he gets ahold of whatever it is Scott Spiezio has been drinking, he won’t help out.

Perez is battling Roger Cedeno for playing time in center fielder. Phillips is ready for a job as a backup, but he’ll head back to Triple-A next month.

Perez was 0-for-6 since being recalled on Aug. 15. If he clears waivers, the Cardinals might bring him back in September.

Perez is still a poor use of a roster spot, but since the Cardinals won’t give him many starts at all, he can only do so much harm. He shouldn’t have any fantasy value at all.

Perez is playing against most right-handers right now, giving him some value in NL-only leagues.

Perez, who helped the Mets reach the World Series in 2000, was slapped with a 50-game suspension for testing positive for Ritalinic Acid and Methylphenidate, which are attention deficit disorder treatments. The 36-year-old hit .304/.344/.410 at Triple-A Toledo this year. A’s outfielder Mitch LeVier, a ninth-round pick in 2008, got 50 games for a second violation for using a drug of abuse. Oscar Rodriguez, formerly of the Pirates organization, and Kelvin Santana, who pitched for the Astros’ Dominican Summer League club over the summer, were suspended 50 games for performance-enhancing drugs.

Perez, who turns 30 in April, hit .246/.285/.338 in 293 AB in his first season with the White Sox. He’s not a great defender, and he’s a lousy basestealer. There are better reserve outfielders willing to play for the minimum.