The Cleveland Indians announced a minor shuffling of their only true strength today, reinstating left-handed relief pitcher Nick Hagadone to the 40-man roster. To make room for the hard-throwing 26-year old, the team designated the oft-injured Rafael Perez for assignment.
After appearing in 70 and 71 games, respectively through 2010 and 2011, Perez pitched in only eight games in 2012 before falling victim to an injury to his throwing shoulder. Ending the season with arthroscopic surgery, Perez amassed a record of 1-0 with an ERA of 3.52 and a WHIP of 1.17, striking out four and walking four in 7.2 innings of work. Most known for his stellar work during the Indians’ run of 2007, Perez could never regain the dominance that led to a 1.78 ERA and more than a strikeout per inning. He was eligible for arbitration.
Hagadone also had an injury-riddled 2012 campaign, but his were self-inflicted after getting shellacked by the Tampa Bay Rays. He would go on to miss the bulk of the season after undergoing surgery to repair a fractured left forearm.
Through his first 16 appearances spanning 16.1 innings, Hagadone allowed a mere eight hits and four runs, striking out 15 and walking seven. In the 11 outing subsequent to his success, encompassing nine innings, the rookie allowed 18 hits and 14 earned runs with the opposition batting .420.
[Related: Prospect ranking turnover shows that Indians might still be bad at drafting]
