Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

Dodgers’ Perez looks sharp in rehab start

Cashman Field 7:05 p.m. Today-Friday Radio: all games on 1460 and 870-AM

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Odalis Perez thinks he's ready to go back to the major leagues. Monday at Cashman Field, he did his best to prove his point.

Recovering from left shoulder soreness that put him on the disabled list on May 15, the Dodgers' left-hander gave up two hits and no runs while striking out three in a three-inning rehabilitation start.

The 51s didn't give up a run until the ninth inning as they cruised to an 11-1 victory against Tacoma in front of a crowd of 3,247, the largest Monday night crowd this season.

"I didn't feel anything at all uncomfortable," Perez said after his 44-pitch outing. "I threw all my pitches and I believe I'm ready to go. I had good location and good command. It feels OK."

Perez said he believes he will start Sunday in the Dodgers' game at Anaheim. Whether that happens remains to be seen.

Las Vegas manager Jerry Royster said he thinks Perez will make one more start at Triple-A, but added that the Dodgers' seven-game losing streak may prompt them to fast-track Perez.

Perez said that even though he only threw 44 pitches in the game, his overall afternoon was enough to get him ready.

"Before the game I was throwing long-toss and I threw hard and threw a lot of pitches," he said. "I threw between innings, plus warmups before the game. It's a lot of pitches."

Royster said from what he saw, Perez's pitch selection was fine, even an example other Pacific Coast League pitchers should follow.

"He was in command of the game -- he doesn't let himself get in trouble," Royster said. "He didn't fall behind the count and make a pitch that's not a home run ball, which is the biggest problem in this league. Guys get to where they have to throw a really good strike to hit. He doesn't ever do that. He'll make the manager take him out of the game before he does that."

But where Perez didn't give up that pitch, Tacoma starter Damian Moss did. Despite coming into the game with a 3.25 ERA, Moss gave up seven runs off seven hits, allowing home runs to Willy Aybar and Norihiro Nakamura in his 4 2/3 innings on the mound.

The remainder of the 51s' runs came off Tacoma reliever Joe Woerman, who pitched his first two innings of the year and walked six batters.

Where Tacoma's bullpen struggled, Las Vegas' excelled. T.J. Nall, who probably would have started if it weren't for Perez' rehab appearance, held the Rainiers scoreless in two innings, and Harold Eckert gave up just three hits and one walk while striking out four in four innings on the mound.

The 51s earned their first series split since their May 10-13 series at Memphis. Since then, the 51s have won three series and lost five.

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