With just days remaining in the regular season, Terry Francona is giving his bullpen a major shakeup.
The Indians manager said Friday that Chris Perez has been removed from his role as the team’s closer, according to multiple sources.
Francona did not reveal who will replace Perez at the back of the Cleveland bullpen, but Joe Smith, Cody Allen, Bryan Shaw and Justin Masterson have all been rumored as candidates.
Perez is suffering through the most disappointing season of his six-year career. His 4.33 ERA and 1.43 WHIP are both career worsts, and he has allowed 10 earned runs and four homers over his last nine outings. The right-hander failed to complete an inning in either of his last two appearances, allowing six earned runs on seven hits and three home runs in just 1 1/3 innings.
The Indians hold a one-game lead over Texas for the final American League wild card spot entering Friday night. They close out the regular season with three games against the struggling Twins, who boast the AL’s third-worst record.
