The gold glove catcher for Cleveland had arthroscopic surgery to remove bone spurs in his right ankle on Oct. 19, 2019.
With his healthy ankle, Perez feels he can be more impactful for the Indians this season.
“It feels great. It’s good to have a new ankle and to be able to run on,” Perez said. “Last year, I was embarrassed for every time I had to run because of how much it hurts.”
Perez reached base twice (1 for 2 with a walk) in Friday’s 2-0 season-opening win over Kansas City.
“Having surgery done, I feel so much better from catching,” Perez said. “Being able to run from first to third from last night, I can help my team a little bit more.”
Perez wasn’t surprised about Shane Bieber’s Opening Day start Friday night in which the All-Star pitcher had 14 strikeouts.
“No, not really. … He is a little bit more mature,” Perez said. He’s developed a cutter now, which is another weapon to attack hitters. He has great stuff, and he’s getting better with his changeup.
“As a hitter, you can’t just look at one pitch -- he has five pitches that will get you out.”
Bieber’s 14 strikeouts against the Royals were the most by a Cleveland pitcher on Opening Day since Gary Bell’s 12 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers back on Apr. 19, 160.
“It’s his second year, so he’s getting to know the hitters a little bit better,” Perez said. He’s mature; the way he works at things, the way he carries himself in the clubhouse, that’s why he’s our ace.
Cleveland outfielder Daniel Johnson thought he was going to be heading to the alternate site for the restart of the 2020 MLB Season. However, the rookie Johnson received a phone call late-Thursday night from Indians general manager Mike Chernoff.Johnson batted sixth in Cleveland’s lineup against Kansas City in his season debut and played right field.“It definitely wasn’t expected,” Johnson said. “I was just hanging out – getting ready to go to the alternate site the next day, so I was kind of winding down for the day. It hasn’t really set in – maybe until I step onto the field – but it was definitely a happy call.During the pandemic layoff, Johnson and outfielder Greg Allen roomed together in Arizona. Johnson believed with Allen as his roommate helped push him to make the opening 40-man roster.“It’s one thing to work out by yourself and to get satisfied with what you’re doing, but when you have another guy who’s in a place where you want to be.“He’s pushing you, and you’re pushing him, it gives you that extra drive every day to prepare for this upcoming season … whenever it was going to start at that time.”
Cleveland placed outfielder Tyler Naquin on the 10-day injured list due to a hairline fracture on a toe from his right foot. The team also announced that they have brought up pitcher Zach Plesac to take Naquin’s spot on the 30-man active roster. Plesac is expected to start a Tuesday game against the Chicago White Sox, while Naquin can come off the IL on Aug. 1.