SAN DIEGO -- Williams Perez made an abrupt exit from an ugly start Monday night with the hope that the discomfort he felt in his right arm was not an indication he will need to deal with a shoulder ailment.
Perez exited during the fifth inning of a 7-2 loss to the Padres with what the Braves' medical staff termed right triceps soreness. The 25-year-old was cautiously optimistic that further evaluations will not show he is dealing with a significant injury.
"We just want to allow everything to simmer down a little bit and then check him out tomorrow," Braves manager Brian Snitker said.
Perez was sidelined for a little more than two weeks during the 2014 season with shoulder tendinitis. Though his current discomfort is not necessarily the same, he grew somewhat concerned when he started to feel what he described as "a tingly" sensation around his right biceps and triceps muscle.
"It was too close to the shoulder," Perez said. "So, that's why I wanted to talk to the doctors. We're just going to take it a day at a time, but I feel good."
After surrendering a Matt Kemp double, Perez signaled for head athletic trainer Jeff Porter to come to the mound. After a brief consultation, the Braves hurler walked toward the clubhouse to undergo treatment and deal with the disappointment he felt after allowing six earned runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
Snitker was cautiously hopeful Perez might have simply been dealing with a cramp and thus, might be available to make his next start. The Braves placed another one of their starting pitchers Mike Foltynewicz on the disabled list on Friday because of a bone spur in his right elbow.
Former Padres pitcher Casey Kelly completed 1 2/3 scoreless innings after he replaced Perez in the fifth inning. If he is not needed to make a long relief appearance within the next few days, Kelly would be an option to make Perez's next scheduled start.