Chris Perez (oblique) made 45 throws from a distance of 60 feet Tuesday in Indians camp. It was Perez's first game of catch since he strained his left oblique in late February. Initial reports had him returning within a 4-6 week timetable. If he's on the shorter end of that, the 26-year-old right-hander could be ready for Opening Day.

Chris Perez (oblique) is hoping to resume throwing on Tuesday or Wednesday. The closer thinks he'll be ready to throw off a mound a week after that. Perez appears to be recovering ahead of schedule, as he was injured a week ago and given a 4-6 week timetable to return. The 26-year-old is hoping to pitch in games by March 15 and is confident he'll be ready for the start of the season. It's still early, but his progress to this point has been encouraging.

Chris Perez (oblique) is hoping to resume throwing sometime next week. Perez seems to be progressing well, but he might be overly optimistic given that a 4-6 week timetable for his recovery was set at the beginning of this week. The closer is confident he'll be ready for the start of the season, and the Indians aren't ruling it out, but it's still early in the recovery process.

Chris Perez (oblique) said his goal is to make it back by March 15 and he should be good to go for Opening Day. Since he's been given a 4-6 week timetable, the closer is being optimistic here. Perez injured his left oblique during a bullpen session when he went full-out a little too soon rather than easing himself into things. The smart money would probably be on him starting the season on the DL, with Vinnie Pestano the likeliest candidate to handle the ninth inning work.

Chris Perez is currently sidelined with "unspecified soreness." Head trainer Lonnie Soloff is expected to talk to the media later Sunday, so we should be able to get a better handle on Perez's condition then. The 26-year-old closer posted a 3.32 ERA and 1.21 WHIP in 59 2/3 innings last season while converting 36-of-40 save opportunities for the Tribe.

Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports that the Indians will listen to offers for closer Chris Perez. Bastian cautions, though, that the market "likely is not there this winter." Perez is under team control for three more years and is coming off an All-Star season, so the Tribe would probably ask for quite a bit in return in any deal. The Indians don't have much money to spend this season but seem to have a right-handed hitter at the top of their list.

Chris Perez nailed down his 34th save Sunday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning in a one-run win over the Twins. Perez allowed a hit and struck out a batter to help Cleveland complete a sweep of Minnesota. It was a nice bounce-back performance from the closer, who had allowed six earned runs over his previous two appearances. Prior to those implosions, Perez hadn't surrendered an earned run in his last 14 outings.

Chris Perez converted a nail-biting save Friday, giving up two runs before stranding the tying run at first base with a strikeout to end the game. This marks Perez's second straight shaky outing, as he was battered for four runs in a non-save situation last week. Prior to that, he hadn't surrendered an earned run in his previous 14 outings. He's nailed down 33 of 37 save chances this year.

Chris Perez lost his sixth game of the season on Monday, giving up an unearned, game-winning run to the Mariners in a non-save situation. Perez seriously lacked control in this one. Facing Seattle's 7-8-9 hitters in a tie game, he hit the first two batters and then dropped Trayvon Robinson's sacrifice bunt to load the bases. Franklin Gutierrez's one-out sacrifice fly turned out to be the game winner. A tough loss for Cleveland's closer, who has yielded no earned runs and only one hit in his last seven appearances.

Chris Perez tossed a perfect ninth inning on Thursday to earn his 27th save of the season. Perez has converted 27 of 30 saves this season, including four in the last week. He now owns a 3.06 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. His only serious blemish is a career-worst 28/22 K/BB rate.