Cleveland Indians closer Chris Perez is reportedly under investigation involving a narcotics package that was delivered to his home. According to authorities, a package that is believed to have contained a controlled substance was delivered to his address in a Cleveland suburb on Tuesday. Rocky River police said they had been tracking the package.
On Wednesday, Rocky River Police Chief Kelly Stillman told reporters the operation likely began when a package looked suspicious to postal employees who were working with it. A regional narcotics unit and postal inspectors were involved in the investigation of the delivery on Tuesday.
Indians General Manager Chris Antonetti released a statement about the investigation on Wednesday, via SI.com:
“Earlier this morning we were made aware of a situation involving RHP Chris Perez that occurred yesterday in Rocky River. We have talked with Chris and are currently in the process of gathering additional information. We will not have any additional comment at this time.”
Perez has not been charged with anything, but Stillman said charges will be filed depending on what the substance was and how much of it there was. Terry Francona addressed the situation prior to his team’s game against the New York Yankees but had very little to say.
“I spoke to him this morning, called him, just wanted to make sure he was OK,” Francona said. “Out of respect to everybody involved, that’s really all I can say.”
Police reportedly said they have been to the house numerous times over the years before Perez lived there. He is renting the house, so it’s possible he has nothing to do with the package:
Police say numerous times over the past 10 years they have been at the house but before Chris Perez lived there. Perez is renting house.
— Scott Taylor (@ScottTaylor19) June 5, 2013
Perez is currently on the disabled list with an injured right shoulder. He has become a player that fans love to hate because of his outgoing nature, which will inevitably lead some to jump to conclusions with the investigation. We recommend waiting until all the facts are laid out.
