Rafael Pérez (baseball)
Rafael Jerome Pérez is a Dominican former left-handed professional baseball relief pitcher. He was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an undrafted free agent in January 2002 and played with them through 2012. He lives in Freeport, New York, on Long Island.
Professional career
Cleveland Indians
In 2002, Pérez finished second in the Dominican Summer League with a 0.96 ERA. In, he was named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year playing for the Rookie-level Burlington Indians, going 9–3 with a 1.70 ERA in 13 games. His nine wins led the Appalachian League. In, his 12 wins tied for third in Indians organization and he had a 2.62 ERA in 29 combined appearances for the Single-A Kinston Indians and Double-A Akron Aeros. He was added to the Indians 40-man roster in November. In, Pérez went 4–5 with a 2.81 ERA in 12 starts with Akron, and was 0–3 with a 2.63 ERA in 13 relief appearances with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons.On April 20,, Pérez was recalled by Cleveland when Matt Miller was placed on the disabled list. He made his MLB debut that day against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching one inning and striking out two. Pérez made 18 appearances with Cleveland in 2006, posting a 4.38 ERA.
Pérez was not expected to be a major part of the Indians' major league club in, but he surprised the Indians organization after he was called up from the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, on May 28. Pérez was initially slated for long relief, but after he demonstrated his ability to pitch in tight situations, he was inserted into a setup role alongside right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt. The two setup men were nicknamed Raffy Left and Raffy Right by local Indians fans. Pérez, with his hard fastball and tight slider, quickly became one of the most dominant relievers in the league. In 2007, Pérez was 1–2 with one save and a sparkling 1.78 ERA over 60 innings pitched in 44 appearances. He had a WHIP of only.923, and held left-handed batters to just a.145 batting average. ESPN analyst Peter Gammons called him "arguably the best left-handed reliever on the planet."
In the 2007 postseason, Pérez was excellent in the 2007 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, going 1–0 with a 1.50 ERA in three games. He threw six innings, allowing one earned run and striking out six. However, in the 2007 American League Championship Series, Pérez faltered, posting a 45.00 ERA in three games, with eight runs allowed in one inning. The Indians went on to lose the series in seven games to the Boston Red Sox.
Pérez spent the entire 2008 season with Cleveland, going 4–4 with two saves and a 3.54 ERA in 73 relief appearances. He struck out 86 batters in innings pitched.
The 2009 season was a difficult one for Pérez. He began the season with a 15.19 ERA in 13 games, and was sent to the Triple-A Columbus Clippers on May 6. On May 29, Pérez was recalled from Columbus after David Dellucci was designated for assignment. He was sent down again on July 8, and recalled again on August 7 for the remainder of the season. Pérez finished the season with a 4–3 record and a 7.31 ERA in 54 relief appearances.
In 2010, Pérez rebounded from his 2009 campaign, going 6–1 with a 3.25 ERA in 70 relief appearances. He led all Indians relievers in wins and tied for the team lead in appearances with fellow left-hander Tony Sipp. Pérez posted similar numbers in 2011, with a 5–2 record and a 3.00 ERA in 71 appearances.
Pérez began the 2012 season 1–0 with a 3.52 ERA in eight relief appearances, but was eventually placed on the disabled list on April 27 due to a strained side muscle. He was initially expected to miss up to six weeks, but suffered several setbacks, and he eventually underwent surgery on his shoulder in September. On November 28, Pérez was designated for assignment. Two days later, he elected free agency.