CLEVELAND, Ohio (92.3 The Fan) – Gold glove catcher Roberto Perez was activated from the 60-day injured list Saturday.
Perez is scheduled to return behind the plate for Sunday’s series finale against the Houston Astros.
“He’s going to catch [Sunday],” manager Terry Francona said prior to Saturday night’s game. “That was kind of the [plan]. We’re trying to balance, obviously, work loads and things like that. He’ll start [Sunday’s] game. Hedgie will catch [Saturday night].”
To make room for Perez’s return, catcher Rene Rivera was designated for assignment.
“We talked to Rene after the game last night,” Francona said. “It’s never fun having those conversations but gollie, the guy was such a pro – and I don’t just mean [Thursday] night but I mean while he was here. He was everything you could ask for, what was he, 37 years old. He didn’t go to spring training; he didn’t have a team. He did everything, and I mean everything.
“He’s a pros pro and we told him that.”
Francona not only appreciated Rivera’s daily approach, but most of all, the enthusiasm he brought to the ballpark daily.
“This kid, he gets hit in the ear with a backswing, he gets one in the throat from a foul ball and it’s like the more he gets beat up the more [enthusiastic he gets],” Francona said. “I told him, ‘I sit up straighter because of that.’ I said, ‘It’s [really] appreciated man. I think you know that but I want to make sure you do.’”
Pérez was placed on the injured list on May 5 with a broken ring finger.
Pérez originally sustained the injury after getting crossed up receiving a pitch on April 13 against the White Sox.
Pérez has hit .131 (8-for-61) with a double, three home runs and 9 RBI in 19 games.
He began a rehab assignment in AAA Columbus on June 23 and appeared in 7 games between Columbus and AA Akron, going 2-for-15.
No Jose – Jose Ramirez remained out of the lineup Saturday after suffering an elbow injury Thursday night.
Ramirez was scratched from the lineup Friday night but took some grounders at second base and ran prior to batting practice.
“Jose is minimally better, not good enough to play,” Francona said.
Rosario returns – Eddie Rosario was back in the lineup Saturday night hitting cleanup and DH-ing.
“Eddie is doing really well,” Francona said. “We have him in the lineup. We reserve the right [to make a change] after batting practice but I think we’re okay. Eddie thinks he’s fine.
Rosario left Thursday night’s game with abdominal tightness but an MRI did not reveal a serious injury.
Bracing for impact –Tropical storm Elsa could impact the Indians’ series with the Tapa Bay Rays early next week.
Major League Baseball is monitoring the storm and is expected to decide on possible postponements of games Saturday night or Sunday.
Rehabbing with the Rubberducks – Starter Zach Plesac began a rehab assignment with the Akron Rubberducks Saturday.
Plesac, who has been sidelined since late May with a broken thumb suffered while taking off a shirt, was scheduled for three innings and approximately 50 pitches.
Brantley scratched – Astros outfielder Michael Brantley was scratched from Saturday night’s game due to “right side discomfort.”
Brantley, who is hitting .340 with 10 homeruns and 31 RBI this season, was slated to hit second and play left field.
Futures star – Bo Naylor will represent the Indians in the Futures Game at the All-Star Game in Colorado in two weeks.
“I’m sure that will be a terrific experience for him,” Francona said.
The 21-year-old catcher is at AA Akron where he has six doubles, a home run and 6 RBI in 33 games this season.
Up next – The four-game series with the Astros concludes Sunday afternoon at 1:10: RHP Cal Quantrill (0-2, 4.11) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (8-2, 3.65)