Former Texas Rangers All-Star pitcher returns to an MLB roster with Atlanta Braves

Braves select contract of former Ranger Martín Pérez

The Atlanta Braves have selected the contract of former Texas Rangers left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez, the team announced on Monday. Right-handed pitcher Didier Fuentes was optioned to the minors to make room for the 34-year-old.

If you're a Rangers fan, you're very familiar with Pérez. He made his MLB debut with Texas in 2012 and remained with the club through the 2018 season. After spending the following three seasons with the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox, Pérez rejoined the Rangers during the 2021-22 offseason.

Pérez had the best season of his career by far in 2022, representing Texas in the All-Star Game and posting 5.1 bWAR and a 2.89 ERA across 196 1/3 innings. In 2023, he had a 4.45 ERA over 141 2/3 innings for the Rangers and made three relief appearances during the postseason.

The former Rangers lefty spent the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres. He had a poor 5.20 ERA over 83 innings with Pittsburgh before being dealt to the Padres at the Trade Deadline. He finished the season strong, posting a 3.46 ERA across 52 innings with San Diego.

Pérez had solid numbers with the Chicago White Sox last year (3.54 ERA in 56 innings), but missed most of the season because of a flexor strain.

Braves' pitching injuries give Pérez opportunity to stick with team

Pérez signed a minor-league deal with the Braves over the winter. He had a strong spring training with Atlanta, pitching to a 2.84 ERA in 12 2/3 innings.

The Braves have suffered an abundance of pitching injuries recently, with Spencer Scwellenbach, Spencer Strider, Hurston Waldrep and Joey Wentz all sidelined. Because of those injuries, Pérez has a good chance of sticking around in the big leagues for a while, as long as he performs to the best of his abilities. It's uncertain whether the Braves plan to use Pérez as a starter or a long reliever. He may do a bit of both.

We Texas fans wish Pérez well, but it's for the best that Chris Young didn't consider a reunion with the former long-tenured Ranger. The Rangers' starting rotation is already very full, and starters Cody Bradford and Jordan Montgomery will return from the injured list later in the season. Texas also has several solid depth options in the minors, including Cal Quantrill and Austin Gomber.