Right-hander Williams Perez has been a starter in the minor leagues and still could end up in that role with the Braves but, for now, he’ll pitch out of the bullpen.
The Braves recalled Perez from Triple-A Gwinnett on Wednesday. He has no major league experience.
“We are going to develop him out of the bullpen,” Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. “Every chance we get we’ll give him a couple innings here, three innings there. You need a spot start, he’s the guy. If there’s a long rain delay or a starter comes out early, he’s the guy who is going to get three or four innings. That’s the way it used to be done back in the day.”
To make room for Perez on the roster, the Braves sent right-hander Michael Kohn to Gwinnett.
Gonzalez said Perez is available to pitch immediately. The Braves limited Perez to four innings in his last start for Gwinnett on Sunday and had him skip his scheduled bullpen session in anticipation of his promotion.
Perez, 23, has started 89 of 109 games in the minors. In five starts for Gwinnett this season he’s 2-0 with a 1.33 ERA with 21 strikeouts and nine walks in 27 innings.
Gonzalez said Perez comes with the endorsement of Gwinnett manager Brian Snitker.
“’Snit’ told me, ‘You are going to love this guy,” Gonzalez said. “’He’s competitive. Throws the ball over the plate, good sinker, works fast.’ He really liked the idea of using him out of the pen at first. We will see what happens after that. “
