GOODYEAR, Ariz. – This is expected to be Kerry Wood’s final year with the Indians. When Wood is gone, the closer job is Chris Perez’s for the taking.

“We see that in the future,” said Cleveland manager Manny Acta of Perez, 24, a hard throwing right-hander, who was dominant at times for the Indians last year after being acquired in a trade with the Cardinals for Mark DeRosa. “I think that’s how he’s been groomed since college at the University of Miami. This is a guy that has the stuff to do it and the mentality to do it.”

It’s official. Elyria Catholic’s girls are back in the Division III regional basketball tournament.

Regina High School has said in a statement it will not appeal its disqualification from the tournament by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The OHSAA found the school has used an ineligible player and must forfeit its win over EC on Wednesday night and the other 21 victories it posted this season.

A statement by Regina principal Sister Margaret Gorman is posted on the school’s Web site. It is included with a news release by the OHSAA detailing its decision.

Gorman said: “While we are disappointed for our student-athletes and the Regina community, we have accepted the OHSAA’s ruling. The commissioner (former Avon Lake superintendent Dan Ross) and his staff have conducted a fair and proper investigation, and have provided us with evidence to support their ruling.

“The OHSAA has rules that must be followed, and as a member school we must accept the consequences of not complying with those rules.”

In its release, the OHSAA said it concluded that the ineligible player “was in violation of Bylaw 4-8-1, Students from Foreign Countries, because she did not meet any of the exceptions to the bylaw that permits eligibility.”

While the school and OHSAA did not identify the player, Regina has a student from Canada on the basketball roster.

Regina, the defending state champion, defeated EC 68-45 in their semifinal game on Wednesday. The Panthers (21-4) will play Smithville (24-1) of Wayne County for the Cuyahoga Falls regional championship at 1:30 p.m. Saturday. The winner will advance to the Division III Final Four at 3 p.m. Thursday in Ohio State’s Value City Arena.

This is the first girls basketball team in Elyria Catholic history to win 20 games in a season and the first to win a district championship. The Panthers defeated Loudonville, 61-59, for the Wellington district crown in an overtime thriller last Saturday.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Jhonny Peralta had one of his worst offensive performances last year, struggling to career lows for a full season in batting average (.254) and home runs (11).

A position change probably played a part.

After spending four years as the Indians’ starting shortstop as the heir apparent to Omar Vizquel, Peralta was relocated to third base in the middle of last season to clear room for up-and-comer Asdrubal Cabrera.

“I think a lot about third base (last year),” said Peralta, who along with a number of Indians’ regulars, was not in the lineup Thursday in Cleveland’s 5-all tie (10 innings) with the White Sox at The Ballpark at Camelback Ranch. “But I don’t want to say I didn’t hit for that reason. It’s baseball. Sometimes you have a better year than others. (Last year) I go down a little. Maybe this year I can be better.

“It’s hard when you change a position, but I don’t want to make excuses. Maybe (it affected me) a little.”

Though he wasn’t around to see his transition to third base, Cleveland manager Manny Acta thinks the move affected Peralta more than a little.

“It was tough for Jhonny to take,” Acta said. “It’s a matter of pride. All of us grow up wanting to play shortstop and center field, and I think he struggled with that mentally.”

Peralta, 27, a shortstop since he picked up a baseball glove, doesn’t disagree. He made it clear he was not in favor of the move last year, but didn’t have the power to reverse the decision.

“I wasn’t mad last year. I was more disappointed,” said Peralta, a six-year veteran and career .266 hitter, who has averaged 18.4 homers and 78 RBIs per season since 2005 — his first full year in the big leagues. “I didn’t get mad when they said play third base, but I was not happy.”

After begrudgingly switching positions, Peralta wasn’t spectacular in his new digs, but he held his own and proved that he could handle himself at the hot corner on the major-league level.

With half a season to acclimate himself, Peralta is feeling better about third base. He has been working extensively this spring with new infield/third base coach Steve Smith to feel even better.

“I feel more comfortable,” said Peralta, who is batting .200 (2-for-10) without an error in four exhibition games. “Last year (moving to third) was a surprise. It was tough, but now, in spring training, I’m getting more comfortable.”

Acta has noticed.

“I think he’s ready to put (shortstop) behind him,” he said. “Having a whole spring training to work (at third base) with all the other guys around him is going to help him out.”

Peralta appears ready to move on and predicts a better offensive season for himself this year. Still, he hasn’t been able to put his old position completely on the shelf.

“Hopefully one day I will play shortstop again. I think about it,” Peralta said. “I know I have to put it out of my mind and focus on third base, but I played shortstop my whole life and I didn’t want to move.”

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Omar Vizquel thought the 2009 season would be his last. Not so fast.

“I always doubted (that I would play in 2010),” said Vizquel, who hit .266 in 62 games for Texas last year before signing a free-agent contract with the White Sox this offseason worth $1.375 million. “But I felt so good during the whole year I decided to give it another shot. So, here I am.”

Vizquel, a 21-year veteran is back for another season, and he’s back in the Central Division, where he starred for 11 years as the Indians’ shortstop from 1994-2004. He’s not ruling out another go round in 2011, either.

“It depends on how it goes this year with the White Sox,” said Vizquel, who was not in the lineup for the Sox in their Catcus League game against the Indians at the Ballpark at Camelback Ranch on Thursday. He’s played in four games this spring, batting .083 (1-for-11).

At 42, Vizquel, who has won 11 Gold Gloves (nine in Cleveland), will enter the season as the oldest position player in the majors, and the third-oldest player overall behind pitchers Jamie Moyer (47) and Tim Wakefield (43). He turns 43 on April 24.

His days as a starting shortstop are numbered, but he’s still a valuable defensive asset and a positive influence in the clubhouse.

Last year in Texas, Vizquel played second base (16 games), shortstop (27) and third base (20) — the same spots he is expected to occupy in Chicago. He said the transition to second base, not third, was the most difficult.

“It was different, no doubt,” Vizquel said. “You feel kind of lost out there. You don’t know how to position yourself. (The ball) gets there faster (at third), but it’s OK. I’ve never had a problem catching the ball.”

There was talk this offseason that the Indians were interested in bringing Vizquel back to Cleveland. His agent Adam Katz, said that after spending a year in Texas, Vizquel was looking for a bigger, more modern city. Vizquel denied as much, saying he and the Indians never discussed a contract.

Would he like to play for the Indians before his career is complete?

“As soon as they offer me something,” Vizquel said. “They keep saying they don’t have much money.”

First time

Right-hander Mitch Talbot, one of three vying for two open spots in the Indians’ rotation, made his first start (second appearance). He allowed a run on two hits with two strikeouts over three innings.

“I feel like I’m doing my job,” said Talbot, who was acquired from Tampa Bay for catcher Kelly Shoppach this offseason. “The other guys (Aaron Laffey and David Huff) are doing their jobs, too. I’ll let that go to (manager) Manny (Acta) and let him do what he feels is right for the team.”

“I thought he threw the ball very well,” Acta said. “He continues to use both sides of the plate. He’s done a good job.”

Wrong way

Cleveland setup man Chris Perez took a shot at Central Division rival Minnesota’s decision to move into an outdoor stadium and out of the Metrodome, where the Twins always enjoyed a decided home-field advantage on the Astroturf and field turf.

“I think it’s one of the dumbest moves in the history of baseball,” Perez said. “The Twins know how to play there. Look at the stats, not too mention the weather. I’m not complaining. Hopefully it will get us a couple more wins there.”

Young guns

The Indians employed a lineup full of prospects against the White Sox, with just one projected starter – second baseman Luis Valbuena.

Baseball Prospectus recently ranked the Indians’ farm system as the third best player development system in the big leagues. Here’s what the publication had to say about Cleveland’s minor leaguers:

“While catcher Carlos Santana is their only Top 50 prospect, no system in the game can match Cleveland’s depth, as their three-star prospects go into the 20s. If you are making a wager on a system to produce the most players who reach the big leagues, Cleveland might just be your best bet.”

Roundin’ third

Today, 3:05, SportsTime Ohio vs. the Angels at Goodyear Ballpark. Jake Westbrook (0-0, 5.40 ERA) vs. RHP Matt Palmer (0-0, 9.00).

Contact Chris Assenheimer at 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com.