GOODYEAR, Ariz. - Chris Perez is healthy and back as Cleveland's closer. Sean Marshall now has that role in Cincinnati.
Perez pitched a perfect inning for the Indians in a 2-1 loss to the Reds, after which Reds manager Dusty Baker announced that Marshall will open the year as the closer in place of Ryan Madson, out for the season.
"Sean Marshall's our closer for now," Baker said of the lefty, who went 1-0 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 innings over 10 Cactus League outings.
"He's closed a few games, not a lot," Baker said. "He can throw that breaking ball for strikes anytime he gets ready and that's hard to do in Arizona with this light air and all. He's not fazed by situations. He's been around awhile. He's a veteran guy and has had success."
The Indians learned afterward that Ubaldo Jimenez was suspended for five games by Major League Baseball for hitting Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki with a pitch. He's appealing the suspension and will still make his start Saturday against Toronto.
"It's disappointing, but I'm not surprised," Indians manager Manny Acta said.
Acta said he expects Jimenez to appeal.
"He'll work through that process. He's starting the second game of the season," Acta insisted.
Acquired in a trade from the Chicago Cubs in December, Marshall had six of his seven career saves over the last two seasons, when he worked exclusively in relief 158 times.
Hard-throwing Aroldis Chapman, who started four games this spring, has been moved back to the Reds' bullpen in a setup role.
Acta is delighted that Perez will be ready when Cleveland opens the season Thursday at home against Toronto. The right-hander, an All-Star a year ago, missed a month with a strained left oblique, but worked three times in the last week, not allowing a hit or walk over three innings.
"He's erased any doubts," manager Manny Acta said. "He's been tremendous, around the strike zone with good stuff. The only thing he didn't do was go back-to-back (consecutive games). He'll get to do that during the season."
Reds starter Bronson Arroyo gave up seven hits and one run over 6 1-3 innings. The right-hander has had some overall soreness, but said he felt better.
"I feel as good as I can," Arroyo said. "I was going to dial it back. I've been feeling a little sore but I was throwing free and easy in the bullpen. I threw a little harder than I expected to. Today was definitely the best I felt. My overall command was good, all my pitches being there."
