Perez (2-2) took the loss Wednesday against the Mariners, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
It was announced Wednesday morning that Perez would get the start instead of Grant Holmes, and the southpaw was solid, holding Seattle to one run through his first five innings before Julio Rodriguez added a solo shot in the sixth. However, Atlanta's offense couldn't muster anything against Bryan Woo in an eventual 3-1 defeat, leaving Perez with his second loss. Overall, Perez has been solid as a swingman for Atlanta this year. His ERA sits at 2.38 with a 1.00 WHIP and 24:11 K:BB across 34 innings.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Slated to start Wednesday
Rotowire
Perez will start Wednesday's game against the Mariners in Seattle.
Grant Holmes had initially been listed as Atlanta's starter for Wednesday, but the team will instead pivot to Perez after the veteran southpaw wasn't needed in relief in the first two games of the series. According to Mark Bowman of MLB.com, the change doesn't necessarily mean that Perez will be a regular in the rotation moving forward, or that Holmes will be headed to the bullpen on anything more than a short-term basis. Whether he's been used as a starter or reliever, Perez has been excellent this season; he'll take a 2.22 ERA and 0.99 WHIP over 28.1 innings into Wednesday's outing.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Could be needed to start
Rotowire
Atlanta manager Walt Weiss said that Perez wasn't available out of the bullpen for Monday's 5-4 loss to Seattle because the left-hander might be needed to start one of the final two games of the series in Seattle, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Atlanta has already confirmed Bryce Elder and Grant Holmes as its starters for Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, but Weiss's comments may indicate that one of the two is not necessarily locked into taking the hill that day. Though he had been expected to shift to the bullpen when Atlanta brought back Spencer Strider from the injured list over the weekend, Perez looks like he could still be a factor in the rotation. Whether he makes his next appearance as a starter or a reliever, Perez will be fresh after having not pitched since last Tuesday, when he tossed five scoreless innings against Detroit to bring his season ERA down to 2.22.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Picks up second win Tuesday
Rotowire
Perez (2-1) picked up the win Tuesday against the Tigers, allowing two hits and four walks with five strikeouts across five shutout innings.
Perez's five strikeouts and four walks were both his most in a game this season. The veteran left-hander was tagged for four runs against the Diamondbacks on April 5 but has otherwise held opponents to two runs or fewer in his five other appearances. He kept the Tigers at bay with a heavy dose of changeups, throwing it more than 37 percent of the time Tuesday. Perez has a 2.22 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 19:10 K:BB across 28.1 innings this season. With Spencer Strider (oblique) set for his season debut this week, Perez may head to the bullpen for Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Serves up two homers in long relief
Rotowire
Perez didn't factor into the decision while working three innings in relief in Wednesday's 8-6 win over Washington. He struck out four and allowed two earned runs on three hits (two home runs) and no walks.
Perez had been lined up to start Thursday's series finale in Washington, but he ended up being pressed into duty in bulk relief after starter Didier Fuentes labored through three innings. The three-inning outing was the shortest appearance of the season for Perez, who still owns an excellent 2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB over his first 23.1 frames. While Atlanta could move Perez back into the rotation for their three-game set with Detroit at the beginning of next week, he likely wouldn't be in line for more than one start since Spencer Strider (oblique) appears likely to return from the injured list for next weekend's series in Colorado.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Drawing another start Thursday
Rotowire
Perez is slated to start Thursday's game against the Nationals in Washington, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
After being re-signed last week, Perez slotted back into the Atlanta rotation for his third start of the season and delivered a gem in last Friday's 9-0 win over the Phillies, tossing six scoreless frames. The veteran lefty is now holding down a 2.21 ERA and 0.93 WHIP over 20.1 innings on the season, but he could soon be moved out of the rotation with Spencer Strider (oblique) trending toward a potential return from the injured list next weekend. How Perez fares Thursday could decide whether he receives another start before Strider returns or shifts into a long-relief role.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Blanks Philly for first win
Rotowire
Perez (1-1) picked up the win Friday, allowing four hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in a 9-0 rout of the Phillies. He struck out four.
On paper at least, it's been a hectic week for the veteran southpaw. Perez started for Atlanta last Saturday, was DFA'ed on Sunday as the team scrambles to patch together its staff in the wake of injuries, elected to become a free agent Tuesday, re-signed a minor-league deal with the club Wednesday and was added back to the 26-man roster Friday to make his next start. The transactional shenanigans didn't faze Perez at all, as he tossed 59 of 94 pitches for strikes while delivering his first quality start of 2026. Through four outings (three starts) he's produced a 2.21 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 10:6 K:BB through 20.1 innings, but his hold on a rotation spot is precarious as the organization clearly views the 35-year-old as expendable. He's set to make his next trip to the mound on the road next week against the Nationals, but with Spencer Strider (oblique) having begun a rehab assignment and top prospects Didier Fuentes and JR Ritchie both pitching well at Triple-A Gwinnett, any Perez start could be his last for Atlanta.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Back with Atlanta to start Friday
Rotowire
Atlanta selected Perez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Friday.
Perez re-signed with Atlanta earlier this week after electing free agency, and he's slated to start Friday's game on the road in Philadelphia. The veteran left-hander holds a 3.14 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across 14.1 innings during his time in the majors this season. Perez should make at least a couple more starts but will likely lose his rotation spot once Spencer Strider (oblique) is ready to return around the beginning of May.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Tapped for Friday start
Rotowire
Perez will be called up from Triple-A Gwinnett to start Friday's game against the Phillies, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Perez elected free agency Tuesday, returned to Atlanta on a minor-league pact Wednesday, and he's now set to rejoin the big-league rotation Friday. The 35-year-old lefty owns a 3.14 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 14.1 innings on the season, and he'll match up against a Philadelphia offense that's posted just a .229 batting average (22nd in MLB) across its first 18 games.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Re-signs with Atlanta on MiLB deal
Rotowire
Atlanta re-signed Perez to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.
Perez elected free agency after clearing waivers following his removal from Atlanta's 40-man roster, but he's quickly re-upped on a minor-league pact. The veteran left-hander held a 3.14 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across 14.1 innings during his time with the big club and could re-enter the major-league rotation as soon as next week.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Designated for assignment
Rotowire
Atlanta designated Perez for assignment Sunday, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The left-hander has filled in well as a rotation piece for Atlanta, posting a 3.14 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 6:4 K:BB across 14.1 innings (three appearances). Perez will now go through the waiver process and can elect to hit free agency if he goes unclaimed.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Suffers tough-luck loss Saturday
Rotowire
Perez (0-1) took the loss against the Guardians on Saturday, allowing one run on two hits and three walks with two strikeouts over five innings.
Perez surrendered a solo homer in the opening inning before holding the Guardians scoreless over his final four frames. The veteran southpaw generated just six whiffs on 86 pitches and owns an unimpressive 6:4 K:BB through his first three starts, though he's managed a solid 3.14 ERA and 0.91 WHIP across 14.1 innings. He's slated for a road matchup against the Phillies next weekend.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Starting Sunday
Rotowire
Perez will start Sunday's series finale against the Diamondbacks, Barrett Sallee of 680 The Fan Atlanta reports.
This was expected, but manager Walt Weiss confirmed that Perez will indeed step into the Atlanta rotation, replacing Jose Suarez. The 35-year-old lefty saved the bullpen after Suarez struggled Tuesday against the Athletics, allowing just two hits and striking out three over 4.1 scoreless innings. Perez figures to make at least a couple starts while the team awaits the return of Spencer Strider (oblique).
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Could move into rotation
Rotowire
Perez may replace Jose Suarez when Atlanta next needs a fifth starter Sunday against the Diamondbacks, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
While Suarez struggled in his start Tuesday and lasted just 3.2 innings, Perez saved the rest of the bullpen by tossing 4.1 scoreless innings of relief on only 47 pitches, allowing just two hits with a 3:0 K:BB in his season debut. Manager Walt Weiss has yet to tip his hand on which of them will get the nod Sunday, but Perez's performance likely makes him the favorite.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Likely to start Tuesday's game
Rotowire
Atlanta selected Perez's contract from Triple-A Gwinnett on Monday.
The veteran left-hander is a good bet to start Tuesday's game against the Athletics, though Jose Suarez is also an option. Perez put together a nice Grapefruit League showing with a 2.84 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 12.2 innings. He could hold down a spot in Atlanta's rotation until Spencer Strider (oblique) is ready to go.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Headed for minors
Rotowire
Perez will remain with the Atlanta organization after coming up short in his bid for a spot on the Opening Day roster, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The veteran lefty pitched well this spring, posting a 2.84 ERA and 10:3 K:BB over 12.2 innings, but the dominance of top prospect Didier Fuentes seems to have squeezed out Perez. Perez is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Gwinnett and could be one of the first players called up if further injuries hit the big-league rotation.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Stretches out to four innings
Rotowire
Perez gave up three runs on four hits and a walk over four innings in Wednesday's Grapefruit League game against the Rays. He struck out six.
The veteran southpaw entered the game to begin the fifth inning and went the rest of the way, tossing 51 pitches (34 strikes), With Joey Wentz (knee) out of the picture, Perez is in line to work as Atlanta's sixth starter out of the gate as the team plays 13 straight games to kick off its campaign. Over 11 games (10 starts) for the White Sox in 2025, Perez produced a respectable 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB in 56 innings.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Chance for roster spot improving
Rotowire
Perez is now the favorite to open the regular season as Atlanta's sixth starter or as a potential swingman, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
Perez's chances of cracking the Opening Day roster appeared slim to none just a few weeks prior, but the injury bug continues to bite Atlanta's starting rotation. Joey Wentz (knee) is the latest casualty, as he was diagnosed with a torn right ACL on Monday. This will undoubtedly improve Perez's chances of making the big-league roster, especially when considering that Atlanta opens the campaign with 13 games in 13 day, making it all the more likely the club elects to carry six starting pitchers, per Bowman. "I love the fact that Martin's in our camp, the guy can still really pitch," said skipper Walt Weiss. Perez has surrendered one run while striking out three over five innings so far this spring.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Makes spring debut
Rotowire
Perez (shoulder) allowed one earned run on one hit over two innings of relief in Saturday's 7-5 win over the Orioles in Grapefruit League play.
The veteran southpaw covered a pair of frames out of the bullpen behind Spencer Strider in his spring debut. Even with Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Hurston Waldrep (elbow) and AJ Smith-Shawver (elbow) all set to miss extended time to begin the season, Perez is a long shot to win a spot in the Atlanta rotation. Perez signed a minor-league deal in January after submitting a 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB across 56 innings in 11 appearances (10 starts) with the White Sox in 2025.
... See More... See Less
Braves' Martin Perez: Goes to Atlanta on minors deal
Rotowire
Atlanta signed Perez (shoulder) to a minor-league contract Friday, Aram Leighton of JustBaseball.com reports.
Elbow and shoulder woes limited Perez to just 56 innings in 2025 with the White Sox, but he pitched well when on the bump, collecting a 3.54 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 44:22 K:BB. It's unclear whether the shoulder strain that ended his season will affect his readiness for the start of spring training. There isn't room for Perez in Atlanta's rotation when everyone is healthy, but Spencer Schwellenbach (elbow), Grant Holmes (elbow) and Reynaldo Lopez (shoulder) all ended the 2025 campaign on IL.
