A bruised left foot sent Braves right-hander Williams Perez to the disabled list last season and he initially struggled once he rejoined the big-league club. But Perez finished his rookie season strong and believes he can carry that success over when he makes his first start this season Sunday against the Cardinals.
“I think so,” Perez said through an interpreter. “I hope to have some good luck starting this season again. I know I finished the season strong last year and hope I can keep it going. I got past the injury.”
Perez took a batted ball off his left foot during a start at the Pirates on June 26. He was having a good season at that point with a 4-0 record and 2.88 ERA over 11 appearances (eight starts).
Perez returned to the rotation on July 31 and got touched for nine runs in 4 1/3 innings at the Phillies. He had uneven results for the next month before finishing 3-0 with a 2.35 ERA over his last five starts. During that span opposing batters hit .289 and slugged .456 with a .339 on-base percentage against Perez but he bared down with runners on base.
“It took me a while to get back into it and get back in the rhythm,” Perez said.
Perez was projected to pitch out of the bullpen this season or begin in Triple-A Gwinnett but ended up as part of the rotation as other candidates faltered. Perez only pitched 11 innings in the Grapefruit League, including a long outing of four innings in his final appearance on March 28, but said he believes he’s stretched out enough to give a full start.
