Odalis Perez to start tomorrow

[jdh]

Odalis Perez is going to make his first start in two weeks tomorrow, after coming back from a sprained ankle. Normally, I would bench a pitcher coming back from injury for the first start or two, but would you still bench Perez tomorrow?

Two reasons to possibly ignore standard thinking is that he is playing against the Pirates sans Giles, one of the most anemic offenses in the NL and because he is coming back from an ankle injury as opposed to an arm, elbow or shoulder problem which could have more effect on his pitches.

Start him or not? What do you think?

[DGroundhog]

I'm leaning towards starting him.

I don't expect what he did last year, and I half expect him to implode. I'd deal him if you can.

I may have the wrong Perez, but when I read it I re-read it to make sure. He pitched 200 plus innings last year, then pitched about 150 more in winter ball. His arm may be dead, or will die during the year.

Still, as an owner, how can you not pitch him after his year last year until he shows his arm is dead? It's the Pirates!

[NY1b23]

Is that really true? He pitched 150 innings in winter ball in the 2002-2003 winter?

[DGroundhog]

I'd like it confirmed as well.

Like I said, I had to verify it was Odalis after I read it, not Oliver or another Perez who needed the work.

[HOOTIE]

I dont know how many he pitched in winter ball, but winter ball isnt long enough to get 150 innings.

[jdh]

I don't think that he pitched winter ball this winter, but maybe last winter, before he had his bust out year. He probably wouldn't have pitched it this year now that he's established and has his rotation spot guaranteed.