New York Mets left-hander Oliver Perez took another step toward returning from a right knee injury, allowing three runs in five-plus innings Friday night in a Triple-A rehabilitation start.
The left-hander is slated to start at Citi Field on Wednesday night against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Im ready tonight (to go to New York), Perez said. I feel like I can pitch in the big leagues. I threw back-to-back five-inning games and feel no pain.
He pitched five shutout innings in a Class A game with Brooklyn last Sunday.
Perez gave up five hits and four walks while striking out four for the Buffalo Bisons on Friday. He threw 92 pitches, 46 for strikes, and delivered a first-pitch strike to only seven of the 23 Rochester Red Wings he faced.
They might know that Im hurt and that my history is walking people, Perez said. I wanted to throw strikes, but sometimes it doesnt happen.
The injury no longer appears to no longer be an issue, though.
I wasnt thinking about the knee, he said. I was thinking of it like a big league game. I feel really good.
It was a sign of progress since Perez had a setback in his previous rehab outing with Buffalo on May 26. In that game, he worked 4 1-3 innings despite landing awkwardly off the mound in the first inning.
I dont want to think about the past, Perez said. Ive thrown two times, five innings, and Im really happy.
Matt Macri hit a leadoff homer in the fifth against Perez, who allowed back-to-back doubles in the sixth before being replaced.
