Martín Pérez: Everything you need to know

Perez didn't factor into the decision Wednesday against Washington, allowing two runs on three hits (two home runs) and no walks in three innings. He struck out four. Although he was slated to start Thursday's game against the Nationals, Perez ended up being needed as a bulk reliever behind the struggling Didier Fuentes on Wednesday. It was the shortest outing of the year for Perez, who still owns an excellent 2.70 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB over his first 23.1 frames. The veteran southpaw is lined up to take the bump against the Tigers next week, but Spencer Strider (oblique) appears to be closing in on a return and might take Perez's place in the rotation beyond that.

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.

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, each Perez start could be his last for Atlanta.