CLEVELAND – A small gash on Roberto Perez’s finger has become a big problem for Indians.
The Puerto Rican catcher, a two-time Golden Glove winner, will miss at least two months of activity with Cleveland after undergoing surgery on his right-hand finger on Friday.
There is no specific date for Perez to return. However, Indians expect the absence will be long.
“It won’t be weeks, but months,” said Terry Francona, the Indian manager.
Perez played in pain for several weeks after suffering a gash due to his mingling with diluent James Karenshak on April 14th in Chicago. The Puerto Rican injured his hand when he used it to catch the field without a glove.
This week, Perez left the series in Kansas City to visit hand injury specialist Dr. Thomas Graham, who placed three pins on his finger to stabilize it.
Graham had Perez’s right thumb surgery, which had fractured exactly five years earlier. The mask was lost two months after this procedure.
Perez’s loss is a big blow to the Indians, who started a streak against Cincinnati on Friday as the midfield leader after winning nine out of 11. The 32-year-old is considered one of the league’s best recipients. As a drumming partner for Cleveland’s good employees.
Austin Hedges will be the main person responsible for replacing Perez. The Puerto Rican alternative would be Rene Rivera.
Rivera received three hits on Thursday in his first inaugural match for Cleveland. The Indians completed a four-game sweep in Kansas City, something they haven’t accomplished since 1960.
“We’ll see how it goes,” said Francona. It’s easy to say, “Renee got three hits yesterday, so he has to play today.” “But that was his first match. He made nine rounds and we don’t want to rush his work either.”