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?
