Oliver Perez decided to stay with the team that helped resurrect his flailing career.
The veteran left-handed starter, who reinvented himself as a late-inning reliever last season, will return to the Seattle Marines for a second year, signing a one-year contract for the 2013 season.
“We are happy to have reached a mutual agreement with Oliver,” Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik said. “He did a very nice job in helping solidify our bullpen after his call-up last summer. As a veteran left-hander, and one that had adjusted very nicely to his new role, we are looking forward to his contributions as we go into the 2013 campaign.”
The Mariners originally signed Perez to a minor league contract during last offseason, after scouting a few of his relief appearances in the Mexican winter league.
Perez started last season with the Tacoma Rainiers, posting a 2-2 record with a save, 42 strikeouts and a 4.65 earned run average in 22 relief appearances, thanks to a rejuvenated fastball that was consistently clocked in the mid-90 mph range.
He was called up to the Mariners on June 16 and posted a 1-3 record with a 2.12 ERA in 33 relief appearances. His ERA was ninth lowest by an American League reliever with a minimum of 30 appearances. He also had a stretch of 20 consecutive appearances from July 13-Sept. 14 without allowing a run, tying the fourth-longest streak in club history.
Ryan Divish: 253-597-8483 ryan.divish@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/mariners @RyanDivish
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