Halos call up catcher Perez, designate Butera

ANAHEIM -- The Angels recalled catcher Carlos Perez from Triple-A Salt Lake on Monday, and designated catcher Drew Butera for assignment.

No. 1 catcher Chris Iannetta -- who started Monday against the Mariners and Felix Hernandez -- is off to a .098 start, and Butera was hitting .190. The Angels have gotten only one RBI from the catcher's spot (by Iannetta) this season.

Video: Scioscia on Roenicke's dismissal, Perez's callup

"This wasn't as much about what Drew was or wasn't doing, it was about what Carlos was doing," manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's ready for the challenge of the Major Leagues."

Perez, 24, hit .361 with two homers and 12 RBIs in 17 games at Salt Lake. He was obtained from Houston, along with right-hander Nick Tropeano, in a November trade that sent catcher Hank Conger to the Astros.

"It's his time to come up here and have an opportunity to play," Scioscia said of Perez. "He was playing great in Triple-A, and he was great in Spring Training for us."

Butera, 31, started seven games, and the Angels went 3-4 in them. They were 8-10 with Ianetta starting, going into Monday.