Mariners sign LHP Rafael Perez to Minor League contract
Left-handed pitcher appeared in 338 games with the Indians from 2006-2012
SEATTLE -- Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President & General Manager of Baseball Operations Jack Zduriencik announced today the club has signed left-handed pitcher Rafael Perez to a Minor League contract with an invite to Major League Spring Training.
Mariners Transactions:
· Rafael Perez, LHP, signed to minor league contract with invite to Major League Spring Training.
Perez, 32, has made 338 Major League relief appearances, all coming with the Cleveland Indians from 2006-2012. He last appeared in the Majors in 2012 making 8 appearances with Cleveland.
Last season he appeared in 24 games (16 starts) with AAA Round Rock (Texas organization), Rojos del Aguila de Veracruz (Mexican League) and AAA Indianapolis (Pittsburgh organization). In 16 starts he went 6-6, 2.97 ERA (30 ER, 91.0 IP), and in 8 relief appearances he went 0-1, 2.19 ERA (3 ER, 12.1 IP). Perez pitched for Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League posting a 2.31 ERA in 15 games (6 GS) during the regular season and 3-1, 0.84 ERA (3 ER, 32.0 IP) in 6 playoff starts. He also made one start in the Caribbean Series, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings vs. Cuba.
Over a four-season stretch from 2008-2011, Perez made 268 appearances tied for the most by an American League relief pitcher (with Craig Breslow). Perez made 6 relief appearances in the 2007 playoffs as the Indians fell one win shy of reaching the World Series.
Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in Peoria, AZ on Feb. 20 (physicals) and hold the first workout Feb. 21. Position players are scheduled to report for physicals Feb. 24 and the first full-squad workout will be Feb. 25.
The Mariners Spring Training roster is currently at 59 players (40 roster, 19 non-roster), including 28 pitchers (8 non-roster), 7 catchers (4 non-roster), 12 infielders (3 non-roster) and 12 outfielders (4 non-roster).