JUPITER, Fla. – The Cardinals eight-week race for the ninth inning will be run without Chris Perez for the next several days after Perez required an arthrogram earlier this week to determine the source of persistent shoulder discomfort. The club held back Perez from Thursday’s trip to Port Charlotte, marking the second time this week he has been scratched from an assignment. Manager Tony La Russa and general manager John Mozeliak downplayed the severity of Perez’s condition, which the club terms an impingement related to tendinitis. Perez is scheduled to either appear in a game or throw a bullpen this weekend. However, pitching coach Dave Duncan allowed that nothing is definitive as long as Perez has discomfort when raising his arm to a throwing position. “It’s something we’re certainly going to be careful with,” Duncan said before Wednesday’s 3-2 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Roger Dean Stadium. “Does it compromise his chances to win a role on our staff? Not at this point. But it’s something you pay attention to.” Perez was similarly scratched from a Monday appearance in Lakeland against the Detroit Tigers and hasn’t appeared in a game since allowing two ninth-inning runs in last Friday’s split-squad outing. On Tuesday, Perez underwent a dye injection to determine if there was structural damage. None was found. “It should be only a couple days before I get back out there,” Perez recalled. “I probably could have pitched [on Monday]. I threw long-toss in the outfield. But they didn’t think it was a good idea.” Perez encounters a speed bump at the same time many within camp project Jason Motte as the front-runner to open the season in the closer role. Duncan confirmed Motte’s standing Wednesday, saying, “Anyone who’s been following what’s been going on would notice that among those receiving consideration [to close], Motte has been the most impressive. There’s a ways to go in camp. But that’s where it stands for me.” Motte has made six Grapefruit League appearances this spring, allowing one earned run in six innings while striking out 10 without a walk. He has converted both save situations he has entered. Motte also worked the scoreless ninth inning of an exhibition against the Dominican Republic and picked up the save. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- 這樣好像讓LaRussa選RP這個問題簡單化了XD --

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