Chris Perez felt some soreness in his right shoulder while throwing warmup pitches on Sunday.

Perez alerted bullpen coach Kevin Cash and was not brought into the game. "Missing a day here is better than missing two months," Perez told reporters on Sunday evening. "I might've pitched in the past. ... I always want to pitch." The right-handed closer expects to be available for Monday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Chris Perez worked out of a jam in the ninth inning on Saturday against the Tigers, earning his sixth save of the year.

Perez got into a sticky situation, after Brayan Pena reached on an error then Omar Infante singled with one out. After Austin Jackson reached on a fielder's choice, a Torii Hunter RBI single pulled the Tigers to within a run. Perez bore down though and retired Miguel Cabrera to end the madness. While the Indians haven't provided him with many save chances on the season, Chris Perez has certainly done his part when given the chance. He's now converted six-of-seven save opportunities on the year while posting a 0.69 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.

Chris Perez nailed down his fourth save of the season with a scoreless inning in Tuesday's win over the Athletics.

Perez allowed a one-out single to Yoenis Cespedes, but Cespedes was gunned out by Yan Gomes while trying to steal second base. Save chances have been few and far between for Perez, but he's had a fine year, posting a 0.82 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.

X-rays on Chris Perez's right thumb came back clean.

Perez was hit on the thumb by a comebacker Sunday, but he expects to be available out of the bullpen on Monday. "I should be good to go," the closer said.

Chris Perez pitched a scoreless ninth inning Monday against the White Sox to convert his third save of the season.

Perez allowed a one-out single to Chris Perez and lucked out when a long Alexei Ramirez drive went about 10 feet foul, but he eventually got Ramirez to foul out and Tyler Flowers to ground out to end it. The bearded reliever blew a save earlier this month when he served up a solo homer to Jose Bautista, but it's the only run he's allowed in seven appearances this season.

Chris Perez pitched a scoreless ninth inning on Tuesday in the Indians 4-1 win over the Blue Jays.

Perez dealt with shoulder issues this spring, so his availability and effectiveness Tuesday were both good signs for owners of the 27-year-old. Despite some questions about his place in the organization, the right-hander saved 39 games last season for the Tribe and was given the first opportunity of 2013. He seems to have a decent amount of job security at this point.

Chris Perez (shoulder) tossed a scoreless inning Tuesday in the Indians' loss to the Athletics.

It was his first time pitching in a Cactus League game since February. He allowed no hits, no walks and struck out one batter. Perez has missed most of spring training with a shoulder injury, but he is now fully expected to be the Cleveland closer on Opening Day.

Chris Perez (shoulder) is scheduled to pitch in a Cactus League game Monday.

Perez said earlier this week that his shoulder feels "100 percent" and will appear in a minor league game Saturday before returning to Cactus League action. Barring any setbacks, he should be ready for Opening Day.

Indians manager Terry Francona said Friday that closer Chris Perez is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on Saturday, but that he still hasn't made a decision on his availability for Opening Day.

Perez told reporters earlier in the week that his shoulder feels "100 percent", and barring any setbacks over the next week he should be ready to handle ninth-inning duties when the season begins. If he is unable to go, Vinnie Pestano would see save chances in the interim basis.

Chris Perez (shoulder) is scheduled to make an appearance in a minor league game on Saturday afternoon.

Perez has tossed a couple of problem-free bullpen sessions and told reporters earlier this week that his shoulder feels "100 percent." The Indians closer is fully expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

Chris Perez said Monday that his shoulder is "100 percent."

Perez has already thrown multiple pain-free bullpen sessions and should be cleared to pitch return to spring games by the end of this week. The fiery Indians closer hasn't made a Cactus League appearance since February 26 but fully expects to be ready for the start of the regular season. Vinnie Pestano will remain in a setup role.

Chris Perez (shoulder) is scheduled for another bullpen session Monday.

Perez threw a 15-pitch bullpen session Saturday without any issues. The Indians' closer remains optimistic that he'll return from his shoulder injury in time for Opening Day, and as long as he doesn't have a setback, he should be able to reach his goal.

Chris Perez (shoulder) will throw a short bullpen session Saturday.

It's the first time he's thrown from the bump since he was shut down at the beginning of March with a strained right shoulder. Perez is optimistic that he'll be ready to close on Opening Day if he can avoid a setback, but it's not a guarantee.

Chris Perez (shoulder) could resume throwing off a mound in Indians camp as early as Saturday.

That's what Indians manager Terry Francona told the media on Thursday morning. Perez has been sidelined since the beginning of March with a strained right shoulder, but he's still hoping to be ready for Opening Day. If he's not ready, Vinnie Pestano will fill in at closer.

Chris Perez (shoulder) is scheduled to play catch Wednesday from a distance of 90 feet.

It will be Perez's third throwing session since he was shut down with a strain muscle in his right shoulder. It's not clear when he'll be ready to throw from a mound, but he could be ready for Opening Day if he avoids setbacks. Vinnie Pestano would be the likely alternative if he needs some extra recovery time.

Chris Perez (shoulder) resumed his throwing program Sunday.

He's only playing some light catch so far, but it's obviously a step in the right direction. Perez is dealing with a strained muscle in his right shoulder but is expected to be ready for Opening Day if he can avoid setbacks. Vinnie Pestano could get the early save chances if Perez needs extra time.

Chris Perez (shoulder) could begin a throwing program Sunday.

Perez was shut down last week due to a strained muscle in his right shoulder. The Indians originally estimated that he would miss 3-4 weeks, so he's iffy to be ready for the start of the season. Vinnie Pestano could get the early save chances if he needs extra time.

Chris Perez (shoulder) said his goal is to be ready for Opening Day.

Perez was diagnosed with a strained muscle in his right shoulder Friday and will be shut down for the next 7-10 days. He won't pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and is a candidate to open 2013 on the disabled list. The Indians currently expect Perez to miss 3-4 weeks with the injury, so he'll need to avoid setbacks if he hopes to be ready for the start of the season.

Chris Perez will not appear in Cactus League games for the next 3-4 weeks after being diagnosed with a strain of the subscapularis muscle in his right shoulder.

The closer will be shut down for the next 7-10 days and obviously will no longer pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. While he technically could have time to make it back for Opening Day, this almost surely means he'll begin the season on the disabled list. Vinnie Pestano should handle the ninth inning while Perez is out.

Chris Perez was scratched from a scheduled appearance Friday for undisclosed reasons.

Indians manager Terry Francona would only say that he will have more information about Perez on Saturday. Perez is currently slated to pitch for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic, but that would obviously be up in the air if he's injured.