Red Sox ink veteran lefty Rafael Perez to minor league deal

The Red Sox have signed left-handed reliever Rafael Perez to a minor league contract. The signing was first reported by Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. Perez was released by the Minnesota Twins a week ago.

Perez, 31, appeared in 338 games for the Cleveland Indians, all as a reliever, from 2006 to 2012. He was an integral part of the Indians Central Division winning team in 2007, logging a 1.78 ERA and 0.923 WHIP. He may be most remembered to Red Sox fans for allowing back-to-back home runs to Manny Ramirez and Mike Lowell in Game 3 of the 2007 ALCS. 

During his Indians career, Perez had a 21-12 record and 3.64. He was used frequently as a situational reliever, throwing 329 innings in his 338 appearances, and averaging fewer than an inning per appearance every year from 2009 through 2012. Perez struck out 268, walked 117, and compiled a 1.328 WHIP with Cleveland. He was placed on the disabled list with a lat injury in April 2012 for the first time in his career. During his rehabilitation, he re-aggravated an injury to his left shoulder. Perez's attempts to rehab the injury were unsuccessful, and he underwent arthroscopic surgery in early October.

Perez was signed to a minor league deal by the Minnesota Twins this offseason. He appeared in four games for Triple-A Rochester before being released, allowing a run in four innings of work. 

The Red Sox have assigned Perez to Double-A Portland.

Photo Credit: Rafael Perez by milb.com

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