Perez to get a shot at closing

Chris Perez, a graduate of The Pendleton School and a native of Holmes Beach, has become the Cleveland Indians' interim closer now that Kerry Wood will miss up to two weeks with an upper back strain.
"I think Chris can handle the job," Indians general manager Mark Shapiro told The Associated Press. "It's on an interim basis. The situation with Kerry is not one we think is going to be long term. It's disappointing, but you don't usually go through a spring without some challenging news."
Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2006, Perez, who went to Manatee before transferring to Pendleton for his senior year, was dealt to Cleveland last June.
"It stinks for our team because we were hoping he would bounce back big this year," Perez told the AP. "At the same time, other people have to step up, and I guess that starts with me. I'll try to not miss a beat and keep doing what I've been doing."
Perez broke into the big leagues in '08, and has posted a 3.92 ERA with nine saves in 102 games.
The oft-injured Wood had 20 saves last season for the Indians.