Indians' Perez goes home to be with wife

Indians closer Chris Perez has returned to his home in Florida to be with his expectant wife.

Perez left the Indians before Cleveland's game against Kansas City on Friday and headed to Tampa, where his wife, Melanie, was close to delivering the couple's first child.

The team said Perez is expected back in a few days.

Perez is 2-2 with a 1.78 ERA in 61 games in his first season as Cleveland's closer. He has converted 21 of 25 save opportunities, including eight in a row and 16 of 17.

The right-hander began the season as Cleveland's closer when Kerry Wood was on the disabled list with a sore back muscle. Perez was used as a setup man until Wood was traded to the New York Yankees on July 31.