By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Former Philadelphia Phillies utility infielder Tomás Pérez is joining the Atlanta Braves as an infield instructor for the 2018 season, according to MeridianoTV. Pérez will coach alongside former Phillies teammate Sal Fasano, who similarly signed with the club this offseason as catching coach.
Pérez, 44, has coached for several years within the Braves organization and is the current hitting coach for the Caribes de Anzoátegui of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League.
The Barquisimeto, Venezuela native played 12 seasons in the majors: 1995-1998 with the Toronto Blue Jays, 2000-2005 with the Phillies, 2006 with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays an 2008 with the Houston Astros. In 504 games and 1,227 plate appearances in red pinstripes, Perez hit .249/.303/.371 with 65 doubles, six triples, 20 home runs, 128 RBI and 82 walks.
The Phillies and Braves will square off on Opening Day this Thursday at SunTrust Park.
