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Rays' Perez Injured Trying To Make Diving Catch

Tribune file photo by CHRIS URSO (2008)

Center fielder Fernando Perez appeared to injure his left wrist or forearm in the first inning today.

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By MARC LANCASTER | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 10, 2009

Updated: 03/10/2009 05:17 pm

PORT CHARLOTTE - Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Fernando Perez suffered a left wrist injury Tuesday during the the top of the first inning after an attempted diving catch.

While the Rays would only give vague answers about the prognosis for Perez, Executive Vice President Andrew Friedman acknowledged "it's ceretainly possible" the outfielder could be out for an extended period.

The Rays want their doctors in St. Pete to examine his test results before making a more specific statement about his condition.

Several players, however, have indicated the news is bad.

Perez came in hard on a looping ball off the bat of Toronto's Travis Snider and went to the ground, rolling forward. He appeared to have the play made, but the ball squirted out of his glove and toward the infield. Perez, meanwhile, remained on his knees facing away from the infield as right fielder Gabe Gross ran over to throw in the ball.

Rays assistant trainer Paul Harker, manager Joe Maddon and the rest of the players on the field immediately converged on Perez. After a brief discussion, Harker and Perez walked slowly to the outfield gate and into the Rays' clubhouse. Jon Weber replaced Perez in center field.

Perez, 25, is one of the Rays' top young players. He made his major-league debut last season after being called up Aug. 31 and made an immediate impact as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement. With B.J. Upton still working his way back from offseason shoulder surgery, Perez has received the majority of the playing time in center field this spring and is in line for an Opening Day roster spot if Upton isn't ready to go to open the year.

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