Perez could grab final reliever spot

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- When Chris Perez came down with some right shoulder discomfort earlier in Spring Training, it appeared that one of the Cardinals' hardest roster decisions might make itself. With one too many right-handed relief candidates, a lingering Perez injury could have relegated the second-year pitcher to the disabled list or Triple-A Memphis. It's again looking like the decision might make itself, but in the other direction.

Perez turned in another excellent outing on Sunday, his second in a row following a rusty return from the injury, and continued to strengthen his case to be one of the five righty relievers that St. Louis takes north. He struck out two, walked one and didn't allow a hit or a run against the Twins in a 5-3 loss. In his previous game, on Friday against Boston, he pitched a perfect inning with two Ks. For the spring, he has nine strikeouts, four walks and a 3.86 ERA in seven appearances.

"The last couple outings have been good," he said. "I'm strong. I haven't gotten back to long-tossing like I usually do, but everything else is fine. My shoulder is good to go."

Along with Perez, five other right-handed relievers remain in camp: Jason Motte, Ryan Franklin, Kyle McClellan, Josh Kinney and Brad Thompson. Barring something very surprising, one of them will be sent to Triple-A Memphis for Opening Day, as St. Louis is likely to carry five righties and two lefties in a seven-man bullpen.

Motte has been outstanding, Franklin's spot is secure, McClellan seems safe as he rebounds from a slow start, and Kinney looks to be in very good shape as well. That leaves Perez, who has pitched well, and Thompson, who provides something none of the others do: a long reliever. But if Perez continues to shine, the Cardinals may simply elect to keep their long man at Memphis, and call someone up when and if needed.

For now, Perez just needs to keep doing what he did on Sunday.

"I thought he had a solid inning," manager Tony La Russa said. "So we keep giving him work and see how it works out."

(mlb.com)