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Wrist Injury Will Sideline Rays' Perez About 3 Months

Tribune file photo by CHRIS URSO

Perez sustained the injury in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto.

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By TONY FABRIZIO | The Tampa Tribune

Published: March 12, 2009

Updated: 03/12/2009 07:35 pm

PORT CHARLOTTE - PORT CHARLOTTE - The Rays have lost their first choice to play center field if B.J. Upton isn't ready to start the season.

Speedy Fernando Perez, injured while diving for a line drive in Tuesday's Grapefruit League game against Toronto, has a dislocated left wrist and will miss about three months, the club said Thursday.

Tests on Wednesday confirmed the dislocation. Perez will wear a cast for several weeks and will undergo therapy to regain strength and flexibility before he can return.

"I don't think it's going to trigger another move," Rays executive vice president Andrew Friedman said. "We are fortunate that we have depth. That said, I'm starting to think there's no such thing as depth; there's only lack of depth."

The Rays have a fair number of options. Newcomer Gabe Kapler and utility man Ben Zobrist can play center. Matt Joyce, who is fighting tendinitis, and Justin Ruggiano provide additional outfield depth.

There is a chance that Upton, who had surgery in November to repair the labrum in his non-throwing shoulder, will be ready.

Perez said he was using a slightly longer glove, which he liked better for fielding ground balls, and that he caught it on the ground while attempting a play he has routinely made without incident. That caused his wrist to snap.

Though saying he feels he let the team and himself down with the injury, he didn't apologize for going all out in a spring game.

"Around here, we reinforce the idea that I already have that spring training is no different [from regular games]," he said. "Balls have to get caught, and we're practicing at a high level.

"Obviously, if I would have just come in and let that one drop like I was a 15-year veteran, we wouldn't be in this position."

Manager Joe Maddon was quick to point out that the team's first significant injury of 2009 could have been worse. But a clean break probably would have healed in about a month because it wouldn't have had the ligament involvement.

Perez said he'll view the setback as his "web gem tax," the price of trying to make an exceptional play.

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