Obri
08-16-2004, 09:48 PM
Pitcher Correia called up to bolster bullpen
By Rich Draper / MLB.com
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/images/2004/08/13/hgrnS5s4.jpg
Neifi Perez was on a 1-for-19 slide and batting .232 overall when released on Friday. (Ben Margot/AP)
PHILADELPHIA -- Giants shortstop Neifi Perez was given his unconditional release Friday in order to call up pitcher Kevin Correia to bolster a beleaguered bullpen.
An eight-year veteran and former Gold Glove winner, Perez was claimed off waivers in Nov. 2002, from Kansas City and hit .254 last season in 120 games, earning him the starting job at short this year. But Perez's promise never materialized, as he slumped from the onset and eventually lost his starting job when the Giants signed veteran Deivi Cruz.
"We're going back to 12 pitchers -- that necessitated the move," said Giants assistant general manager Ned Colletti. "Neifi is a pro and was a good addition to the club and played hard every chance he got. He didn't like [the move] but said he understood it."
The 32-year-old Cruz is hitting .290 with 27 RBIs, while backup shortstop Cody Ransom will get a long-awaited chance to play semi-regularly and was called by Colletti the Giants shortstop of the future.
Neifi was released Friday and will be claimed or cleared by Tuesday. "If he's not claimed by then, he's free to go wherever," said Colletti.
Perez had five spectacular season in Colorado from 1997-2001, hitting .298 that last year before being traded to Kansas City in a midseason deal.
Correia, who turns 24 on Aug. 24, pitched in five games for the Giants this year, compiling a 12.10 ERA. He has been a starter but was recently switched to relief.
Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
By Rich Draper / MLB.com
http://sanfrancisco.giants.mlb.com/images/2004/08/13/hgrnS5s4.jpg
Neifi Perez was on a 1-for-19 slide and batting .232 overall when released on Friday. (Ben Margot/AP)
PHILADELPHIA -- Giants shortstop Neifi Perez was given his unconditional release Friday in order to call up pitcher Kevin Correia to bolster a beleaguered bullpen.
An eight-year veteran and former Gold Glove winner, Perez was claimed off waivers in Nov. 2002, from Kansas City and hit .254 last season in 120 games, earning him the starting job at short this year. But Perez's promise never materialized, as he slumped from the onset and eventually lost his starting job when the Giants signed veteran Deivi Cruz.
"We're going back to 12 pitchers -- that necessitated the move," said Giants assistant general manager Ned Colletti. "Neifi is a pro and was a good addition to the club and played hard every chance he got. He didn't like [the move] but said he understood it."
The 32-year-old Cruz is hitting .290 with 27 RBIs, while backup shortstop Cody Ransom will get a long-awaited chance to play semi-regularly and was called by Colletti the Giants shortstop of the future.
Neifi was released Friday and will be claimed or cleared by Tuesday. "If he's not claimed by then, he's free to go wherever," said Colletti.
Perez had five spectacular season in Colorado from 1997-2001, hitting .298 that last year before being traded to Kansas City in a midseason deal.
Correia, who turns 24 on Aug. 24, pitched in five games for the Giants this year, compiling a 12.10 ERA. He has been a starter but was recently switched to relief.
Rich Draper is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.