TORONTO — Juan Perez will miss the remainder of the 2013 season after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow Friday. The injury often precedes Tommy John surgery.
The Toronto Blue Jays placed the left-hander on the 60-day disabled list Saturday, recalling right-hander Mickey Storey to take his place. Manager John Gibbons feels badly for Perez, who provided the Blue Jays’ bullpen with a boost for two-plus months.
“He’s a warrior,” Gibbons said. “He’s a great competitor and he’s done a great job for us. It’s unfortunate.”
Players who tear their UCL often require Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, but it’s not yet clear if the 34-year-old Perez will opt for an operation.
He threw 55 pitches in Friday’s appearance, his 19th since joining the Blue Jays. Following the 55th pitch, he and catcher Josh Thole summoned Gibbons to the mound.
“Any time the guy calls you out there, it’s usually not good,” Gibbons said.
Perez emerged as a surprise contributor for the Blue Jays this year, posting a 3.69 ERA with 33 strikeouts and 15 walks in 31.2 innings.
He entered the season with less than one year of MLB service, so the Blue Jays will have the option of keeping him long-term, 40-man roster space permitting.
Perez was in the Blue Jays clubhouse wearing a sling on his left arm Saturday.
STOREY BACK: The Blue Jays recalled Mickey Storey to take Perez’s place on the active roster, and they expect to use the right-hander as a long reliever.
“We can use him in different roles,” Gibbons said. “Hopefully we don’t get to that point, but if we do, he can go multiple innings for us.”
Storey, who appeared in two games for the Blue Jays in May, has spent most of the season at triple-A Buffalo. He has a 2.79 ERA with 62 strikeouts and 13 walks in 51.2 innings with the Bisons.
HUTCHISON OPTIONED: The Blue Jays also activated Drew Hutchison from his rehabilitation assignment and optioned him to Buffalo, where he made his Bisons debut Friday. The right-hander allowed six earned runs on six hits in 3.2 innings while striking out one.
The Blue Jays opened a 40-man roster spot for Hutchison by placing Perez on the 60-day disabled list.
The 22-year-old Hutchison underwent Tommy John surgery last August after being diagnosed with a right ulnar collateral ligament sprain.
ARENCIBIA RETURNS: J.P. Arencibia is back in the starting lineup for the first time since August 4. The catcher has bursitis in his right knee, but it’s something he’ll have to work through. Gibbons says Arencibia is “good enough to play.”
“It comes with the territory,” Gibbons said. “You get beat up back there. He says he’s good, so we shall see.”
Arencibia explained Friday that he expects to deal with knee soreness for the remainder of the season. The 27-year-old last played a full game last Sunday in Anaheim. He has said intends to avoid the disabled list.
NOTES: Gibbons repeated that Esmil Rogers will make his next start despite his recent struggles… Ramon Ortiz, also on the 60-day disabled list, is now resting… Gibbons continues to be impressed by Brett Lawrie’s recent play.
