Chris Perez Hobbles To The DL With Bone Spurs, Carlos Frias Called Up

I’m sure everyone has noticed how awful reliever Chris Perez has been this season, After signing a one-year 2.3 million dollar free agent deal with the Dodgers this winter, the bearded right hander has been horrendous for the majority of the season. Now we may have an answer as to why.

The Dodgers have placed Perez on the 15-day DL with bone spurs in his right ankle. In a corresponding move, the Dodgers have called up right hander Carlos Frias from Albuquerque. They’ve also transferred Paul Maholm to the 60-day DL. I had no idea that Perez was even injured. So either this was kept hidden, or it’s some kind of phantom injury. The Dodgers are masters at roster machination, so it wouldn’t surprise me.

The good news is we don’t have to be subjected to Perez’s terrible pitching any longer. I wish him a speedy recovery. But now that stomach churning feeling in the late innings won’t be as sickening as it normally would be.

This is Carlos Frias-Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

As for Frias, we saw him briefly in spring training this year. Although I’ve barely seen him pitch. Frias is a 24-year old right hander from the Dominican. Frias has split time between Albuquerque and Chattanooga this season.

In Chattanooga he was doing well. He posted a 2-1 record, and a 3.38 ERA in five starts. Yes Frias is a stater. He had whiffed only 14 in 32 innings pitched, but had only walked 2.5 per nine. His 9.6 hits per nine rate is concerning.

Once promoted to Albuquerque he’s struggled a bit. In 15 starts he is 8-4 with a 5.01 ERA and 65 whiffs in 91.2 innings pitched. He does have a nice 3-1 strikeout to walk ratio. Overall between triple-A and double-AA, Frias is 10-5 with a 4.58 ERA in 21 games. He’s whiffed 79 and walked 30 in 123.2 innings of work. He has a career 40-34 minor league record, with a 4.23 ERA and a 7.3 whiff per nine rate.

According to the scouting reports, Frias has a low-90’s fastball, slider, and fringy changeup. He can miss bats, but might need some work on his control. I’ll take Dustin’s word on this since he’s seen him pitch and I haven’t. Plus Dustin is usually pretty good on these prospects.

I would imagine Frias would be used in a number of roles. He could be a spot starter/long man, filling in for Maholm, and replacing the putrid Dan Haren. Or he could be utilized in some middle relief innings.

Chris Perez was 0-3 with a 5.03 ERA in 39.1 innings pitched this season. He posted a 6.9 whiff per nine rate with a 4.8 walk rate. He whiffed 30 and walked 21 in 42 games.