D-backs sign P Oliver Perez to minor league contract, claim Baragar

The Arizona Diamondbacks signed relief pitcher Oliver Perez to a minor-league contract with an invite to major league camp on Monday.

Additionally, the team claimed left-handed pitcher Caleb Baragar off waivers from the San Francisco Giants.

Perez re-joins the D-backs after two seasons with the team from 2014-15. In his final 48 games with the team before he was traded in 2015, Perez posted a 2.91 ERA over 58.2 innings pitched. He struck out 76 and walked 24 batters.

It’s a last-minute change of plans for Perez, who announced in February that he was retiring at the conclusion of the 2022 Mexican League season where he was a member of the Toros De Tijuana.

Oliver originally got his start with the San Diego Padres in 2002 before stints with the Pittsburgh Pirates (2003-06), New York Mets (2006-2010), Seattle Mariners (2012-13), D-backs (2014-15), Houston Astros (2015), Washington Nationals (2016-17) and Cleveland Indians (2018-2021).

In five games with the Indians last season, Perez struck out four and walked one. He did not give up a run and allowed five hits over 3.2 innings.

Arizona’s bullpen includes Mark Melancon, Ian Kennedy, Caleb Smith, Chris Devenski and Joe Mantiply.

Perez is the latest to sign a minor-league deal with the club, with the D-backs also inking infielder Wilmer Difo, reliever Keone Kela and catcher Grayson Greiner over the past week.

Baragar joins Arizona after posting a 1.57 ERA over 23 innings pitched with the Giants last season (25 games). He struck out 16 and walked 12.

The D-backs now have 57 players in camp after the additions of Perez and Baragar.

The D-backs are back in spring-training action Monday against the Mariners at 1:10 p.m. Tune to ESPN 620 AM or 98.7 FM HD-2.

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