Free-agent relief pitcher Oliver Perez signed a minor league deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday. The 40-year-old stands a good chance to make the team's Opening Day roster with J.B. Bukauskas now out for the foreseeable future with a teres major strain. This will be Perez's 20th major league season if he's pitching in the big leagues in 2022. He tossed only 3 2/3 innings for the Cleveland Guardians last year before joining the Mexican League. The veteran southpaw had a 2.00 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 18 relief innings in the shortened 2020 season. If Perez joins the D-backs bullpen for the regular season, he's unlikely to be fantasy relevant in more of a middle-relief role.
Free-agent relief pitcher Oliver Perez is set to retire after pitching in the Mexican League this season, according to Michael Mayer. Perez had a solid career in the majors as he posted a 4.34 ERA with 1,545 strikeouts across 696 appearances. He most recently pitched for the Cleveland Guardians from 2018 to 2021.
The Cleveland Indians have made a deal with relief pitcher Oliver Perezon Thursday, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports. The 39-year-old lefty has shifted around quite a bit over his 18-year career, but he's finally found a bit of stability in Cleveland. He owns a 2.67 ERA thus far in Cleveland, including a 2.00 mark in 18 innings last season. His strikeout rate fell from 27.7 percent to 19.4 percent last year, however, while his fastball velocity dipped from 91.7 mph to 89.9, so he may not have much time left as a useful reliever. He has shown the ability to induce weak contact with his heavy sinker approach, but he doesn't hold much fantasy value heading into 2021.
The Cincinnati Reds have signed veteran left-handed reliever Oliver Perez to a minor league deal on Saturday. Perez made his big league debut with the San Diego Padres back in 2002. The 36-year-old southpaw made 50 appearances for the Washington Nationals in 2017, pitching 33 innings and posting a 4.64 ERA, one save, 12 holds, and 39 strikeouts. It sounds like the Reds have big league plans for Perez, as manager Bryan Price told reporters, "We don't have a lot of left-handed relief depth, at least of the experienced nature. He has a track record of being very, very tough on left-handed hitters. He has really found a niche in that role. He's been durable." Perez is expected to operate as a situational lefty for the Reds this season and enter games to face left-handed batters in high-pressure situations.
Oliver Pérez
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Diamondbacks
