Nationals release no-show LHP Perez
AP News | 2009-02-23 17:13:48
<div id="subtitle">Nationals release no-show LHP Odalis Perez after he fails to show up by reporting deadline</div><div><p>The Washington Nationals released disgruntled pitcher Odalis Perez on Monday, a day after he failed to show up at spring training by the mandatory reporting deadline.</p><p>Perez signed a minor league contract with Washington on Feb. 5 that would have paid him $850,000 if he made the team. In recent days, however, the left-hander said he wanted a better deal.</p><p>The 31-year-old Perez hadn't taken phone calls from general manager Jim Bowden or manager Manny Acta in recent days. Perez let the 7 p.m. Sunday deadline pass without reporting.</p><p>"We left messages yesterday for his agent, we left messages for him, I left messages again this morning, and they made their point really clear," Bowden said. "We've got a lot of pitchers here in camp who are committed to helping us win, and we want players here who want to be here."</p><p>"It's disappointing because you'd at least like him to talk to us in person," Bowden said.</p><p>Perez was 7-12 with a 4.34 ERA in 30 starts for the Nationals last season. He is 73-82 with a 4.46 ERA is 10 seasons.</p><p>Perez also has played for the Atlanta Braves, the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Kansas City Royals.</p><img src="http://admatch-syndication.mochila.com/images/ad.gif?aid=43434867&bid=informcom" /></div><div id="copyright"><div>
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