Oliver Perez plans to return to Pittsburgh's rotation as soon as possible. That doesn't mean he's mad about manager Jim Tracy's decision to send the Pirates' opening day starter to the bullpen. Perez (2-10, 6.63 ERA), the NL leader in losses, will pitch mostly in long relief, though he could be used to retire a difficult left-handed hitter during a late-inning situation. "I don't know, maybe it's the right way, sending me to the bullpen," Perez said Wednesday. "I'm going to the bullpen right now to try to work it out." While insisting he's not angry, Perez did not talk to reporters after Tracy announced the demotion Tuesday.