Perez heads to DL after kicking laundry cart
WASHINGTON -- Oliver Perez apparently was frustrated Sunday afternoon in St. Louis when he kicked a laundry cart after another inconsistent outing.
That frustration extended to Pirates management Tuesday when Perez, the team's Opening Day starter, was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a broken big toe on his left foot.
General manager Dave Littlefield didn't disguise his disappointment with the 23-year-old left-hander who is expected to miss between 3-6 weeks. He said Perez faces a team-imposed fine for his actions.
"It's unacceptable behavior," Littlefield said. "It's immature and unprofessional. Obviously, it's setting him back personally and, from a team standpoint, it's selfish to the extent that we count on him."
Outfielder Nate McLouth was called up from Class AAA Indianapolis to take Perez's roster spot and give the Pirates an extra bench player. His stay, though, may last only until Saturday, when the Pirates plan to promote another pitcher and return to a 12-man staff. That also is Perez's next scheduled start.
Littlefield said whoever starts Saturday likely would be used in the rotation during Perez's extended absence. Ian Snell was called up from Class AAA Indianapolis this past weekend to work out of the bullpen. Zach Duke, the organization's top pitching prospect, is 12-3 with a 2.92 ERA at Indianapolis after his start last Saturday, but a spot would need to be cleared on the 40-man roster before he could join the Pirates.
Perez returned to Pittsburgh on Monday for diagnostic tests. He had X-rays taken on his toe Sunday night after the Pirates arrived in the nation's capital in advance of their series with the Washington Nationals.
In 15 starts, Perez is 6-5 with a 6.16 ERA, 81 strikeouts and 51 walks in 831/3 innings. That's a far cry from last season when Perez went 12-10 with a 2.98 and 239 strikeouts in 196 innings.
The incident occurred after another unimpressive start. In six innings against the St. Louis Cardinals, Perez allowed four runs and seven hits while walking five and striking out two.
Despite those numbers, manager Lloyd McClendon was encouraged by the progress Perez was making since his two-week layoff in May to adjust his pitching mechanics.
"I really thought he was turning the corner," McClendon said. "It's a tough break for us."
McClendon also criticized Perez's decision, but pointed out that Texas Rangers veteran left-hander Kenny Rogers wasn't above similar shenanigans. Rogers recently broke the pinky finger on his non-throwing hand when he punched a water cooler.
"I don't condone it," McClendon said. "More than anything it hurts this club. You wish he would have thought about what he was doing before he did it. He's a competitive young man and wants to win. That's where all this stems from. He has to learn you can't do those things."
An extended stay on the disabled list could impact Perez's salary next season when he is first-time eligible for salary arbitration. After Perez's breakthrough season in 2004, Littlefield declined to pursue a long-term contract, preferring to monitor the pitcher's progress throughout this season before making that decision.
