Rafael Pérez

Rafael Jerome Pérez (born May 15, 1982) is a Dominican former left-handed professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians from 2006 to 2012, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Chunichi Dragons in 2015. He was signed by the Indians as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and played with them through 2012. He lives in Freeport, New York, on Long Island.

Professional career

Cleveland Indians In 2002, Pérez finished second in the Dominican Summer League with a 0.96 ERA. In , he was named Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year playing for the Rookie-level Burlington Indians, going 9–3 with a 1.70 ERA in 13 games (12 starts). His nine wins led the Appalachian League. In , his 12 wins tied for third in Indians organization and he had a 2.62 ERA in 29 combined appearances (22 starts) for the Single-A Kinston Indians and Double-A Akron Aeros. He made his MLB debut that day against the Baltimore Orioles, pitching one inning and striking out two. Pérez made 18 appearances with Cleveland in 2006, posting a 4.38 ERA.

Pérez was not expected to be a major part of the Indians' major league club in , but he surprised the Indians organization after he was called up from the team's Triple-A affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons, on May 28. Pérez was initially slated for long relief, but after he demonstrated his ability to pitch in tight situations, he was inserted into a setup role alongside right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt. The two setup men were nicknamed Raffy Left and Raffy Right by local Indians fans. Pérez, with his hard fastball and tight slider, quickly became one of the most dominant relievers in the league. In 2007, Pérez was 1–2 with one save and a sparkling 1.78 ERA over 60 innings pitched in 44 appearances.

In the 2007 postseason, Pérez was excellent in the 2007 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, going 1–0 with a 1.50 ERA in three games. He threw six innings, allowing one earned run and striking out six.

Pérez spent the entire 2008 season with Cleveland, going 4–4 with two saves and a 3.54 ERA in 73 relief appearances. He struck out 86 batters in innings pitched. On May 29, Pérez was recalled from Columbus after David Dellucci was designated for assignment. He was sent down again on July 8, and recalled again on August 7 for the remainder of the season. Pérez finished the season with a 4–3 record and a 7.31 ERA in 54 relief appearances. Pérez posted similar numbers in 2011, with a 5–2 record and a 3.00 ERA in 71 appearances. He was initially expected to miss up to six weeks, On November 28, Pérez was designated for assignment. Two days later, he elected free agency. He made four appearances for the Triple-A Rochester Red Wings, logging a 1-0 record and 2.25 ERA with two strikeouts over four innings of work. Pérez was released by the Twins organization on May 17.

Boston Red Sox On May 23, 2013, Pérez signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox organization. With the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, he pitched in 25 games and compiled a 2–2 record with six saves, 30 strikeouts, and a 2.64 ERA. Pérez only appeared in four games for the Triple-A Round Rock Express before he was released on April 17; in those games, he struggled to an 0-1 record and 7.36 ERA with four strikeouts over innings.

Rojos del Águila de Veracruz On May 5, 2014, Pérez signed with the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz of the Mexican League. With Veracruz, he accumulated a 3–5 record with a 3.92 ERA and 42 strikeouts across 10 appearances (including eight starts). He was assigned to the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians, where he posted a 3–1 record and 1.77 ERA with 34 strikeouts in 56 innings pitched across 10 games (eight starts). He was invited to spring training, but did not make the team. On April 9, Pérez signed with the Tigres de Quintana Roo of the Mexican League. He made 13 starts for the Tigres, registering a 5-5 record and 1.99 ERA with 52 strikeouts across innings pitched. Pérez's release was announced on July 2.

Chunichi Dragons On July 13, 2015, Pérez signed with the Chunichi Dragons of Nippon Professional Baseball for the remainder of the season. He appeared in just four games with the Dragons, recording an 0–1 record with a 1.64 ERA and nine strikeouts spanning 11 innings.

Long Island Ducks On March 28, 2017, Pérez signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He made 22 starts for the Ducks, accumulating an 8-7 record and 4.72 ERA with 83 strikeouts across innings pitched. Pérez became a free agent after the season.