Astros acquire lefty reliever Oliver Perez in trade with D-backs
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The Houston Astros added help in the bullpen Friday night, acquiring lefty reliever Oliver Perez from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for a minor-league pitcher.
The trade was announced following Arizona's 2-0 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. Perez joins a surprising Houston team that has a 1 1/2-game lead in the AL West and is trying to hold off the second-place Los Angeles Angels.
''They're in a good spot right now,'' Perez said. ''I would love to help wherever they need.''
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The 33-year-old Perez is 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 48 appearances. He leaves Arizona with a 19-game scoreless streak that is tied for the third-longest in Diamondbacks history.
The veteran pitcher said goodbye to teammates and Diamondbacks staff in the clubhouse late Friday. He can become a free agent after the season and didn't rule out a return to Arizona. He has a home in the area.
''I know this team is going to be in the playoffs,'' said Perez, who set a club record for strikeouts by a left-handed reliever with 76 last year.
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Arizona gets 19-year-old lefty Junior Garcia in the deal and will call up another left-hander, Keith Hessler, from Triple-A Reno to fill Perez's spot in the bullpen.
Garcia is 3-1 with a 0.96 ERA and 26 strikeouts in a combined nine games (six starts) between Class A Tri-City and rookie-level Greeneville.
The swap came a week after baseball's deadline for trading players without placing them on waivers.
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''I was taken by surprise,'' Perez said. ''Sometimes you feel nervous because, you know, you're going to go to a new organization.''
Perez said he found out he'd been dealt right after Friday's game ended.
''It's a really good organization, and I know they're going the right way,'' Perez said of the Diamondbacks. ''I'm just thankful for all the opportunity they gave me.''