Former major league lefty Odalis Perez died tragically, Hector Gomez Z101 digital. (on twitter) Gomez reports that the former member of the Braves, Dodgers, Royals and Nationals “was hit in the head after falling down the stairs.” He was 44 years old.
A native of the Dominican Republic, Pérez began his MLB career with the Braves in September 1998, just months after his 21st birthday. He appeared in ten games out of the bullpen, throwing 10 2/3 innings with a 4.22 ERA. This was followed by the 1999 season in which he played 18 games, 17 of which were starts, throwing 93 innings with an even 6.00 ERA. After missing the entire 2000 campaign with an injury, he bounced back in 2001 and played 95 1/3 innings with an ERA of 4.91.
Prior to the 2002 campaign, Pérez and two other Braves were involved in a major deal with the Dodgers. Gary Sheffield to Atlanta. Perez had the best season of his career that year, throwing 222 1/3 innings in 32 starts with a 3.00 ERA. He scored 155 strikeouts and finished the season with a 15-10 record. That same year, he was selected to the National League All-Star Team.
Perez remained in the Dodgers’ rotation for another three and a half seasons before being transferred to the Royals in July 2006. Elmer Dessens. He was out of the Royals’ rotation for the remainder of that season, as well as the 2007 campaign.
In 2008, he signed a minor league contract with the Nationals, eventually his contract was chosen and the club’s opening day began. He allowed a home run in the fourth inning Chipper Jones, which became the first long ball in the history of the National Park. This season would eventually prove to be his last MLB appearance. Overall, he finished his career playing in 252 games, making 221 starts, throwing 1,335 innings with an ERA of 4.46. He scored 920 strikeouts, four complete games and two shutouts.
We at MLB Trade Rumors extend our condolences to Perez’s family and to his many friends, fans and loved ones.