Chris Perez shut down the Pirates in the ninth inning on Friday, recording his major league leading 21st save in the process. The out-spoken Indians closer is enjoying a very strong first half of the season, converting 21 consecutive chances since his blown save on opening day. He's been a large factor in the success of the Indians this season and is starting to solidify himself as one of the top tier closers in the fantasy game.

Chris Perez shut the door on the Twins Monday, pitching a perfect ninth inning to earn his 12th save. Who leads the majors in saves? That's right, it's Chris Perez, who is getting it done despite an underwhelming 3.68 ERA.

Chris Perez picked up his ninth save of the season, working 2/3 of an inning against the White Sox on Thursday. The Indians led 7-3 heading into the ninth inning, and it didn't look like Perez' services would be needed. However, after Dan Wheeler surrendered a two-run homer to Adam Dunn, Perez came on to record two easy outs and pick up his ninth save of the season.

After struggling mightily in his last save opportunity, Chris Perez looked much better against the White Sox on Wednesday, retiring the side in order. Though his outings aren't always pretty, Perez seems to get the job done more often than not and his job security appears to be growing stronger. Though Vinnie Pestano is also a very capable late-inning reliever, it doesn't appear that he will supplant Perez anytime soon. Perez has eight saves on the young season.

Chris Perez struggled in the ninth inning against the Royals on Tuesday, but escaped with his seventh save of the season. Perez surrendered a run on a couple of hits in this one, but got Jeff Francoeur to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game. He's now saved seven straight after his blow up on Opening Day, and appears safe in the closer's role for the time being.

Chris Perez allowed the Mariners to load the bases in the ninth inning Tuesday, but he rebounded to pick up his third save. Perez escaped without surrendering the lead in a 9-8 game, but his inning was a whole lot shakier than Vinnie Pestano's eighth, even though Pestano faced the top of the order and Perez got the bottom. Perez has now pitched four scoreless innings since a disastrous blown save on Opening Day.

Chris Perez blew a 4-1 lead in the ninth by giving up three runs to the Blue Jays on Thursday. Perez was finally pulled after retiring two of the seven hitters he faced. Vinnie Pestano came in and got a grounder to preserve the tie. Pestano was pretty obviously the Indians' best reliever last year, and he might get a chance to replace Perez as the closer if Perez has any more blowups within the next couple of weeks. Perez owners should definitely be looking to acquire Pestano if they can.

Chris Perez threw a perfect inning Thursday against the Rockies in his Cactus League debut. He needed only five pitches to complete the clean inning, and, more importantly, felt fine. Perez has been sidelined all camp with a strained left oblique, but he'll make two more spring appearances and should be available for a save opportunity on Opening Day if they both go well.

Chris Perez (oblique) will make his Cactus League debut Thursday against the Rockies. Perez was cleared after making it through two minor league appearances with no issues. The Indians' closer initially appeared unlikely to start the season on time following a strained oblique, but now he's right on track.

Chris Perez (oblique) retired three batters Saturday in a minor league exhibition game. Perez needed only seven pitches to get through his one inning of work. The 26-year-old right-hander should be cleared to make his Cactus League debut next week, and is expected to be fully ready by Opening Day. He's a solid fantasy option at closer.