PLAYING TIME: Pestano could get shot to close

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Oblique injury sidelines Perez, will Pestano take advantage?

A left oblique strain will sideline Indians closer Chris Perez (RHP, CLE) for at least the next 4-6 weeks, leaving his Opening Day status in question. It's no secret that, despite a 36-save season, Perez's peripherals dropped to alarming levels in 2011. He fanned just 39 batters in 60 IP—a pedestrian 5.9 Dom—and his xERA (4.73) suffered accordingly. He's been lucky in recent years (24% H% in both 2010 and 2011), but he'll no longer be able to skate by with such a middling Dom, especially with a FB% that has ballooned to 50%.  

An impressive spring training from heralded setup man Vinnie Pestano (RHP, CLE) may be all it takes to convince manager Manny Acta...

Almost!

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