Chris Perez Wants Indians Fans at Ballpark

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images(CLEVELAND) -- Chris Perez just wants a little love. The Cleveland Indians closer is looking for more fans to show up at the baseball park, to support the AL Central leading Indians.

"The fans are going to come, I know that," Perez said. "It's just a slap in the face when you're in first place and last in attendance. Last. Not 25th or 26th. Last."

While team president Mark Shapiro disagrees with Perez's comments, he thinks he understands were they're coming from.

"He's been one of the more dominant closers," Shapiro said. "What drives him to succeed in that role are emotion and competitiveness and passion, and I think a lot of that was behind what he said."

The Indians currently have a 23-18 record and a two-and-a-half game lead over the Chicago White Sox.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio

Indians' Closer Chris Perez Out 4-6 Weeks

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images(GOODYEAR, AZ) -- Cleveland Indians' All-Star closer Chris Perez will miss 4 to 6 weeks thanks to a strained left oblique. Perez was about 30 pitches into his first mound session of the year when he thought he felt a cramp.

Still, Perez hopes to return for opening day.

"Opening Day is not out of the question for me," Perez said. "Four to six weeks is on the long side of when I want to be back out there. Obviously, I have to listen to my body. Now, it's just go out and bang out my rehab."

Perez converted 36 of his 40 save opportunities for the Indians last season.

Copyright 2012 ABC News Radio