Braves Send Pérez to Free Agency, Prepare for Rotation Adjustments

Veteran left-hander Martín Pérez has elected free agency after being designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves. Pérez cleared outright waivers and is now a free agent, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal Constitution. The move comes as the Braves look to reshape their rotation in the final stretch of the season.

Pérez made three appearances for Atlanta, posting a 3.18 ERA across 14 1/3 innings. While the results were solid on the surface, the 35-year-old struggled to generate swings and misses, striking out just six of the 53 batters he faced. His swinging strike percentage of 7.2% was well below the MLB average, which hurt his value in a high-leverage role.

The Braves currently carry a nine-man bullpen, thanks in part to a day off on Thursday. However, they still need a fifth starter or a bullpen game to fill the Pérez spot. With a key week of games coming up, Atlanta must decide whether to turn to Didier Fuentes or José Suarez to fill the gap.

Spencer Strider is set to begin a rehab assignment on Thursday. He will make at least three minor league appearances before potentially returning to the majors. Strider’s return could give the Braves more flexibility in their rotation or bullpen planning.

Pérez could still return to the Braves on a minor league deal. The team lacks upper-minors rotation experience and may see value in re-signing a familiar face. If Pérez fails to land a big league contract, a return to Atlanta could offer the best path to stay on the radar for 2025.

The Braves now have more than a week to evaluate their options. Martín Pérez is expected to draw interest from multiple teams, but a return to Atlanta remains a possibility. The team will decide by next week whether to bring him back or go another direction.