Indians Closer Chris Perez On the DL - East Idaho News
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Indians Closer Chris Perez On the DL

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Getty Chris Perez?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1369668849191Hannah Foslien/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — While the Cleveland Indians offense is emerging as one of baseball’s best, their bullpen has taken a major blow as the team has placed closer Chris Perez on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder soreness.

While warming up on Sunday, Perez felt stiffness in his shoulder, but still went out and pitched. He wound up giving up four earned runs in just two and a third innings of work. He has given up seven earned runs in his last three appearances, causing his ERA to balloon from 0.64 to 4.32 in just over a week.

“It kind of pinched on me and sent a little pain down my arm,” Perez said. “Then I tried to throw another pitch and it just wasn’t happening.”

“I don’t want to leave that mound at all, especially with the game on the line like that and the team trying to cling to a win,” Perez added. “But you can’t pick when you’re going to get hurt and unfortunately right now it’s a little sore.”

Perez has served as the team’s full-time closer since 2010. He saved a career high 39 games last season with the Indians.

Joe Smith will likely take over for Perez as the team’s closer for now.

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