It's unknown when Perez will return after his wife goes into labor Friday with the couple's first child.
View full sizeChris Perez left early Friday when his wife, Melanie, went into labor with the coupleâs first child.CLEVELAND, Ohio — Indians closer Chris Perez was unavailable for Friday night's game against the Royals because he flew home to Tampa, Fla., to be with his expectant wife.
Perez left the club early Friday when his wife, Melanie, went into labor with the couple's first child. It is not known when Perez will return.
Perez owns a 0.57 ERA since June 28, having allowed two earned runs in 31 innings. The ERA in that span entering Friday was lowest among all major-league relievers (minimum 18 innings).
Perez has 21 saves this season. The remaining pitchers on the active roster have combined for two -- one each for Frank Herrmann and Tony Sipp.
After Perez, the Tribe pitcher with the most success as a major-league closer is Jensen Lewis, who has 14 career saves.
Cabrera is back: Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera returned to the lineup Friday after missing three games because of a jammed left wrist. Center fielder Michael Brantley did not play for a second straight game because of a sore left hamstring.
Cabrera jammed the wrist Monday against the Twins at Target Field.
Brantley's hamstring flared up Thursday afternoon. He was a late scratch for a game that the Tribe lost to Kansas City, 4-2.
"Michael just has a tight hamstring, and we're going to be careful with him," manager Manny Acta said.
View full sizeAsdrubal Cabrera watches his second single of the game head to right field in the fifth inning on Friday at Progressive Field. Brantley stretched and threw before batting practice Friday afternoon. Acta said Brantley will swing the bat today and run under the supervision of head athletic trainer Lonnie Soloff.
"He could be available [today]," Acta said.
On the mend: Second baseman Jason Donald gripped a bat and ball Friday for the first time since bruising the tendon of his right index finger while attempting to bunt Sept. 11 against the Twins.
Hand specialist Dr. Thomas Graham examined Donald in Cleveland on Thursday.
"Dr. Graham was pleased with the way things have progressed," Donald said. "The swelling's gone down. But we're not up to real baseball activity."
Donald said he likely will know by Sunday afternoon if he has a shot at playing again this season.
Chalk talk: The Yankees and Phillies are the most popular picks in the Indians' clubhouse to represent their respective leagues in the World Series.
Five of seven players in a straw poll had the Yankees or Phillies or both playing for the title.
Perez is confident the Phillies and Yankees will be the final teams standing, and he sees the Phillies prevailing.
"They're the best team," Perez said of the Phillies on Thursday. "They're peaking, and everybody is healthy except Jimmy Rollins. They have enough offense and plenty of starting pitching. The 1-2-3 punch of [Roy] Halladay, [Roy] Oswalt and [Cole] Hamels is awesome."
Perez projects the Yankees will beat Tampa Bay in the ALCS, which means he is not a big believer in the Central champion
Twins.
"They're a scrappy little team with a great bullpen, but they don't have the starting pitching," he said. "After [Francisco] Liriano, they don't really have a shut-down starter, which you need in the playoffs. Plus, you've got a question about Joe Mauer's health."
Reliever Joe Smith thinks the Twins simply don't have the firepower to run with the Yankees.
"The Yankees' lineup is loaded," Smith said. "People can talk about their starting pitching and Mariano Rivera, but that lineup is unbelievable. They've got a bunch of veterans who know how to win, and they're the defending champions. I hope Philly wins, but I've got to go with the Yankees."
Among Indians polled who do not see a Yankees-Phillies matchup are Chris Gimenez and Jensen Lewis.
Gimenez thinks the Giants will surprise in the National League and knock off Minnesota for the title. "The Giants have quality bats, and their pitching staff is ridiculous -- terrific front-of-the-rotation starters and a great closer," he said.
Gimenez grew up in the Bay Area of California as an Oakland Athletics fan.
Lewis projects the Rays will defeat the Rockies.
"Sometimes you've got to bang on the door a couple of times before you punch through, and I think this is Tampa Bay's year," Lewis said. "I like how the Rays have come together. I like how they play. They're not going to be intimidated by the Yankees."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664