Chris Perez has committed to pitching for Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. The fire-balling 27-year-old reliever recorded 39 saves while posting a 3.59 ERA and 1.13 WHIP during the 2012 campaign. With Joe Nathan also expressing possible interest in playing for Team USA, it seems likely that Perez will be used in a setup role as opposed to the ninth inning.

Indians general manager Chris Antonetti indicated Friday that despite the recent additions to the bullpen, Chris Perez is expected to remain as the team's closer in 2013. That still assumes that Perez is with the team at the start of the season, which is far from a certainty. Should they decide to trade Perez, Vinnie Pestano or Bryan Shaw would be the most likely candidates to assume the role.

Chris Perez ripped Indians ownership in a recent interview with FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi. "[The Tigers] are spending money," said the bombastic Cleveland closer. "He (Tigers owner Mike Ilitch) wants to win. Even when the economy was down (in Detroit), he spent money. ... Josh Willingham would look great in this lineup. [Our ownership] didn't want to [pony] up for that last year. That's the decision they make, and this is the bed we're laying in." Perez sounds like a guy who badly wants to be traded. And he could get his wish.

Chris Perez shut down the Red Sox on Saturday night, allowing just one hit in his one inning of work while earning his 31st save of the season. That's two strong outings in a row for Perez after a pair of epic blown saves last week. While he isn't the prototypical shutdown closer, he's more than capable of succeeding in the role and should make a push toward 40 saves before the season is over.

After a pair of colossal blown saves, Chris Perez rebounded nicely on Thursday, retiring the Red Sox in order to earn his 30th save of the season. While Perez's job was never in serious jeopardy, had he blown a third consecutive chance there may have been rumblings of making the switch to Vinnie Pestano. As it stands, Perez has now converted 30-of-34 chances on the season while posting a 3.89 ERA and 46/11 K/BB ratio over 40 2/3 innings.

Chris Perez blew his second straight save opportunity, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning in Tuesday's loss to the Twins. He entered the game with a 4-3 lead, and retired the first hitter before Josh Willingham singled. Darin Mastroianni pinch-ran and stole second base, then came around to score as Casey Kotchman made a critical error on a ball hit by Justin Morneau. The error surely didn't help keep Perez's emotions in check, as he proceeded to allow a double, sacrifice fly, single, single and walk to the next five hitters before being removed. While he's still converted 29-of-33 save chances on the season, Vinnie Pestano has been incredible this season and provides them with a strong alternative the next time a save chance arises.

Chris Perez melted down in Sunday's 10-8, 10-inning loss to the Tigers, allowing a season-worst five runs on three hits, two walks and a home run. The home run was a two-run walkoff job from Miguel Cabrera. Both the blown save and loss were Perez's third of the year. He had yet to allow a run in seven innings over eight appearances since the All-Star break. Perez's ERA is now an ugly 3.82, but 11 of his 17 runs allowed have come in just three games. It's not a concern for a closer who's made 43 appearances. Perez's job is safe.

Jon Morosi of FOXSports.com reports that the Giants have been the most aggressive team looking for relief help. They've been linked to Indians closer Chris Perez and are evidently in on many other relievers, as well. Morosi also lists the Angels and Cardinals as teams desperately seeking relief help.

According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi, the Giants have interest in Chris Perez. Perez, 27, has posted a sparkling 3.06 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in 35 1/3 innings this season as Cleveland's closer. But he's likely to top $7 million in salary arbitration heading into the 2013 campaign and the Indians have a decent group of setup men capable of stepping into the ninth-inning role. It's feasible that a trade could happen this year, whether with San Francisco or another club.

Chris Perez blew his first save since Opening Day in Sunday's loss to the Rays, allowing three runs on four hits in an inning of work. The only bright side in an appearance where Perez served up both a home run and triple was the fact that he managed to record all three of his outs via strikeout. The nightmare day ballooned Perez's ERA from 2.59 from 3.34, but somehow we doubt the cries for Vinnie Pestano will be quite as loud as they were in April. Perez will represent Cleveland for the second consecutive season in Tuesday's All-Star Game.