Perez (oblique) has been throwing bullpen sessions and will be ready for a live batting practice session soon, Rich Dubroff of BaltimoreBaseball.com reports.
Perez would presumably be asked to make a rehab appearance or two before returning, but that should be around the corner. The left-handed reliever has been out since the opening weekend of the season with a right oblique strain.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Hoping to throw again soon
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Perez (oblique) said Wednesday that he's feeling much better and is optimistic that he can begin throwing soon, Jake Rill of MLB.com reports.
Perez landed on the injured list over the weekend with a right oblique strain, but he might require a minimum-length stay on the shelf. The left-handed reliever was a key bullpen piece for the Orioles over the last two seasons, collecting a 2.43 ERA and 99:48 K:BB over 111 innings.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Placed on 15-day IL
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Perez landed on the 15-day IL on Sunday with a right oblique strain, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
Perez was removed from Saturday's appearance against the Angels due to lower-back discomfort. After further evaluation, it was revealed he has an oblique strain. In a corresponding move, Baltimore recalled Jonathan Heasley from Triple-A.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Exits with injury
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Perez was removed from Saturday's game against the Angels due to an apparent injury, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Perez looked to be grabbing at his right side near his hip/lower back before leaving the game with a trainer in the ninth inning. The Orioles will take a closer look at him and should offer more information in the near future.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Ugly numbers early in spring
Rotowire
Perez has allowed five runs over three innings across his first three Grapefruit League appearances.
Perez saw a reduced role in 2023, posting a 3.54 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 44:27 K:BB over 53.1 innings while adding 11 holds and three saves. He had 24 holds as a setup man in 2022. Perez can't afford a poor spring -- competition is fierce in the Orioles' bullpen with up to a dozen pitchers in contention for seven or eight major-league roster spots. Perez's track record alone isn't enough for him to rely on being a lock if he continues to struggle.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Avoids arbitration with Orioles
Rotowire
Perez signed a one-year contract with the Orioles on Monday to avoid arbitration.
The deal also contains a club option for 2025. The financial particulars aren't clear, but Perez had been seeking $1.4 million for 2024, with the team offering $1.1 million. Perez has collected a 2.43 ERA and 99:48 K:BB over 111 innings in his two seasons in Baltimore.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Disaster in eighth inning
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Perez (4-2) allowed three runs on a hit, a walk and a hit batsman while failing to record an out Thursday, taking the loss versus the Guardians.
The Orioles rallied to tie the game in the top of the eighth inning, but Perez loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame before Jacob Webb allowed all three inherited runners to score. Prior to Thursday, Perez hadn't allowed an earned run since July 26, a span of 17.2 innings. He's now at a 3.68 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 43:24 K:BB with two saves and 10 holds over 51.1 innings.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Grabs one-out save
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Perez struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Astros.
Yennier Cano put two runners on, but Perez was able to escape the jam for his second save of the season. Over his last 23 appearances spanning 17.2 innings, Perez has allowed two unearned runs, 12 hits and two walks while striking out 17, though he has just one save, two holds and a win in that span. The southpaw had a rough start to the season, but he's now at a respectable 3.16 ERA despite a 1.48 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB through 51.1 innings overall. Perez has added 10 holds and a 4-1 record, and he's had more high-leverage chances since Felix Bautista (elbow) has been out.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Collects fourth win
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Perez (4-1) walked one but didn't allow a hit or a run over 1.1 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Mets.
Perez has steadied himself since the All-Star break, allowing three runs over 7.1 innings while picking up a save and two wins. The southpaw still has mediocre ratios for the year with a 4.30 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 29:22 K:BB while picking up eight holds over 37.2 innings. Perez will likely continue to serve as more of a middle reliever for an Orioles bullpen that sports a 3.55 ERA collectively, fourth-best in the majors.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Grabs first save
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Perez picked up the save Monday against the Phillies, working around a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning.
Perez got the call in the ninth with Felix Bautista having pitched in Baltimore's previous two games. After retiring the first two Phillies in the inning, Perez surrendered a base hit and a walk before coaxing a groundout from Johan Rojas to strand the tying and winning runs. While Perez isn't likely to see much closing work going forward, he's been solid lately, pitching to a 1.93 ERA over his last nine appearances (9.1 innings). Overall, the southpaw sports a 4.54 ERA with a 1.78 WHIP and 26:20 K:BB through 33.2 innings this season.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Collects third win
Rotowire
Perez (3-1) struck out the only batter he faced to earn the win in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Rays.
Perez got the last out of the eighth inning after newcomer Shintaro Fujinami allowed the tying run to score. The Orioles then retook the lead in the ninth inning, and Felix Bautista slammed the door to get Perez the win in his third appearance since returning from forearm soreness. Perez has allowed multiple runs in five of his last 14 outings, but he's kept runs off the board in the other nine appearances in that span. Overall, he's at a 4.68 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 26:19 K:BB with eight holds through 32.2 innings. The southpaw remains part of the Orioles' high-leverage mix, but Yennier Cano sees most of the setup work and Danny Coulombe is likely considered the top southpaw in this bullpen.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Returns from injured list
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Perez (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Perez wound up missing just the minimum 15 days with left forearm soreness. Nick Vespi was sent down in a corresponding move.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Lands on IL with sore forearm
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Perez was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left forearm soreness, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Perez felt soreness while playing catch Monday. The Orioles' level of concern with the reliever is considered low, so it sounds like he has a shot to be back when first eligible on July 18.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Snags win Sunday
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Perez (2-1) earned the win Sunday over the Twins, striking out one in a perfect inning.
Perez had allowed at least one baserunner in each of his last 13 appearances, giving up 10 runs (eight earned) on 16 hits and seven walks over 12.2 innings in that span. He was an effective setup man last season, but Perez's regression with walks (4.7 BB/9) has made it a difficult first half of 2023 for the southpaw. He has a 4.45 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB over 30.1 innings while adding eight holds through 33 appearances. Perez will still get some late-inning work, but he's no threat to Felix Bautista's closer role, whiel Danny Coulombe has surpassed Perez as the Orioles' top lefty reliever.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Nabs win Friday
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Perez (1-0) allowed a run on three hits and struck out one over one inning to earn the win Friday over the Yankees.
Perez has had some mixed results through 4.1 innings across four appearances this season. He's struck out five without walking a batter, but he's been tagged for two runs and seven hits. Perez has worked in a high-leverage role as expected, though he's unlikely to challenge Felix Bautista for ninth-inning work.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Solid so far in spring
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Perez has allowed one earned run on six hits and two walks over five innings in five Grapefruit League appearances.
Perez was initially viewed as an option for saves, but with Felix Bautista recovered from his shoulder and knee issues, it looks like that won't be necessary to start the year. What holds true is Perez's status as the Orioles' top lefty reliever, with strong results in spring games coming off of last year's 1.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:21 K:BB over 57.2 innings. He had 24 holds a year ago, so he should have every opportunity to remain in a setup role to begin 2023.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Remains in setup role
Rotowire
Perez continues to operate as a setup man and has a win and two holds over 4.1 scoreless innings since Baltimore sent closer Jorge Lopez to Minnesota at the trade deadline.
Manager Brandon Hyde initially indicated Perez, Felix Bautista and Dillon Tate would be in the mix for save opportunities after Lopez's departure, but it's Bautista who has received and successfully converted all three of the team's save chances since the trade. Overall Perez has one save and 17 holds with a 1.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 40.1 innings this year, and he should continue to work in a setup role while Bautista remains effective and healthy.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: In mix to close
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Manager Brandon Hyde named Perez, Felix Bautista and Dillon Tate as the candidates to serve as Baltimore's closer after Jorge Lopez was traded to Minnesota, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The three have operated as setup men for the Orioles this year, and the group will now be in a closing committee with Hyde utilizing a matchups-based approach. Perez has one save and 15 holds with a 1.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 34:15 K:BB across 36 innings this season. Bautista seems like the best option to head the committee, but it remains to be seen exactly how the group's usage breaks down with Lopez out of the picture.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Takes first loss
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Perez (4-1) allowed a run on one hit and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners.
Perez put J.P. Crawford aboard with two outs in the eighth inning. Felix Bautista then gave up a pair of hits, allowing two runs to score, with the decisive one going on Perez's line for his first loss of the year. This is just the fourth time in 29 appearances the southpaw has been charged with a run, and he still has a steady 1.52 ERA despite a 1.48 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB across 23.2 innings. Perez has added a save and nine holds as a high-leverage option for the Orioles this year.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Picks up win Wednesday
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Perez (4-0) allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings, earning the win Wednesday over the Mariners.
Starter Kyle Bradish couldn't complete five innings, so Perez entered the game and got credit for the win. The 26-year-old reliever has earned all four of his wins and two of his four holds in his last 10 outings, and he hasn't allowed any runs in his last seven games. Overall, the southpaw has a 0.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings.
