Orioles sign Chris Perez (plus other notes)

The Orioles signed veteran reliever Chris Perez to a Triple-A deal today and sent him to Sarasota while he begins serving a 50-game suspension.

Perez, the 42nd overall pick in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Miami, was suspended on June 24 for a second offense of using a drug of abuse. He was a free agent after allowing eight runs and 14 hits in 7 2/3 innings with Triple-A Colorado Springs.

Perez was an All-Star with the Indians in 2011 and 2012 when he totaled 75 saves. He posted a 1.71 ERA and notched 23 saves over 63 appearances in 2010.

"That doesn't affect us right now, obviously for 50 games. There are games played after August," said manager Buck Showalter.

"We all make some changes in our lives and get better."

The Orioles had mild interest in Perez in the winter of 2013 before he signed with the Dodgers. He went 1-3 with a 4.27 ERA in 49 games.

Not everyone in the warehouse was comfortable with Perez, who was fined $250 and sentenced to one-year probation after he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges stemming from his June 2013 arrest after a package containing nine ounces of marijuana was delivered to his house in his dog's name.

"I know how we all weighed in on it," Showalter said. "I do know there's some other variables there that figure into it."

Perez, who turned 30 yesterday, is represented by Nez Balelo of CAA Sports. The Orioles could be doing the agency a favor by starting Perez's suspension clock. And it's a low-risk signing.

T.J. McFarland is starting tonight at Triple-A Norfolk. Showalter said McFarland will go back to the bullpen if he isn't recalled.

McFarland is eligible to come back to the Orioles on Monday, which also happens to be the date that Nolan Reimold goes on paternity leave.

Showalter was asked again when catcher Matt Wieters might start catching back-to-back games. The answer doesn't change. There's no timetable and Showalter isn't pushing him. Could happen before the break, could happen after the break.

Norfolk pitcher Steve Johnson, on the minor league disabled list with a sore oblique, threw a two-inning simulated game today.