If you were hoping to get an improved and rejuvenated Oliver Perez back in the starting rotation anytime soon, forget about it.
Perez is now losing games for Buffalo these days, and in his first start with them he looked like the same old Ollie.
The Buffalo News reports,
Perez, in his first game action since May 2 because of a right patellar tendinitis, was his usual combination of erratic and impressive in the Bisons’ 2-1 loss to Lehigh Valley. He threw 88 pitches in 4-1/3 innings in Coca-Cola Field, allowing one run while walking five and striking out five.
The 28-year-old is sure to get more work with the Herd before continuing the first season of his three-year, $36 million contract with the New York Mets.
“I want to get better,” said Perez, who took the loss as the Bisons’ winning streak was snapped at three games. “I don’t want to go upstairs [to the majors] and don’t feel better. I have to keep working here and be ready for when they call me up. I want to be ready to go there and show the pitcher that I can be.”
Perez had two unimpressive outings in extended spring training this month, and Tuesday’s start was on that same track.
One of the five walks Perez yielded was to the opposing pitcher. After the game he said he still had knee soreness, but that it was getting better. I only wish his control was getting better too.
Thankfully, Livan Hernandez has pitched solidly as the five starter, making the loss of our number three starter easier to withstand.
I only hope that the Mets do not allow Perez back on the team unless he pitches 2-3 solid starts in a row. I would rather roll the dice with Nelson Figueroa or Tim Redding than see Perez bring the mood of this team down again. Is that terrible of me to say?
Last year with the onslaught of Castillo bashing I took my lumps for being a lone (or nearly lone) supporter of his. I think or the most part I did NOT do it in vain and I’m please with his comeback (especially early on).
With that being said, I can almost guarantee you, that I will NOT be doing the same for OP. I have zero, zilch, nadda, faith in this dude and I think, in part, this move will make the Castillo signing look genius……..
Joe D – pick your chin up off the floor (I can see it now), yes, I can not find a silver lining in this situation………shocking I know – lol
Now Mr. Perez – please please please PROVE ME WRONG!!!!!!
[...] Ollie Perez did nothing in Buffalo last night that would rush his return back to Flushing. The one thing in OP’s favor is that Tim Redding has been underwhelming to say the least .Interesting that the Mets have not announced the starting pitcher for Sunday game in Florida as with the day off Thursday they could skip Redding and go with Livan. [...]
I read the headline and I was not surprised at all.
poor ollie. I wonder what went wrong over the winter?
We signed Oliver Perez to a big contract is what went wrong.
you know I agree with greg. I was a ollie fan two years ago and I wanted to give him a chance and say he’s improved since last year but you know what he just has too many bad habits and has poor pitch control. I hope the mets can trade him and somebody else can buy out his contract.