Atlanta Braves pitcher Martín Pérez has been activated from the 15-day injured list and is scheduled to start Wednesday against the San Diego Padres at Truist Park, returning to the rotation after recovering from a left-arm contusion sustained on July 6.
Martín Pérez Returns to the Starting Rotation Against the San Diego Padres
Help for the Atlanta Braves starting rotation has officially arrived with the return of left-hander Martín Pérez. Braves manager Walt Weiss confirmed that the veteran pitcher will take the mound to start Wednesday against the Padres in the third game of a four-game series at Truist Park.
Pérez had been sidelined since July 6 after taking a line drive off his pitching arm against the New York Mets.
“[The decision] was made for us with the comebacker,” he said. “But he’s doing well.”
Walt Weiss, Manager, Braves
Rotation Stability Restored Following JR Ritchie Optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett
To clear a roster spot for Pérez, young arm JR Ritchie has been sent back down to Triple-A Gwinnett. Ritchie’s most recent major league appearance came on a Tuesday night in an effort that required 68 pitches across 3 2/3 innings, during which he allowed three runs on three hits—including two home runs—along with three walks and four strikeouts.
The corresponding roster move brings stability back to a starting staff that currently features Chris Sale, Pérez, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder. Aside from Spencer Strider, who remains sidelined for the season due to injury, the rotation closely resembles the team’s intended Opening Day configuration.
Pérez Performance Metrics and Season Outlook
Before suffering the left-arm contusion, Pérez established himself as a dependable arm in the Braves staff. Over 18 appearances and 14 starts, he holds a 3.54 ERA while limiting opposing hitters to a .221 batting average, according to team and reporting records. In eight of those 14 starts, he surrendered two earned runs or fewer.
However, his last three outings before landing on the injured list proved turbulent, yielding a 7.43 ERA alongside 15 hits, four home runs, and nine walks over that stretch. Analysts note that his broader season metrics sit at a 77 ERA-, 104 FIP-, and 99 xFIP-, representing solid production for a pitcher signed for about $3.5 million following an earlier designated for assignment stint.
Of the four games scheduled against the San Diego Padres this week, only three had projected starters, and Wednesday happened to be the day after Pérez was eligible to come back. In a corresponding move, JR Ritchie has been sent back down to Triple-A Gwinnett, with it having been expected that the spot was being held for Pérez.
The Braves had been without Pérez since he took a line drive to the arm on July 6, leading to his placement on the injured list as a left-arm contusion.
In 18 appearances and 14 starts, Pérez has recorded a 3.54 ERA, serving as one of the more dependable arms on the staff prior to his injury. While he can provide some help out of the bullpen, the big break for the team is that the rotation can garner some further stability alongside Chris Sale, Reynaldo López, Grant Holmes, and Bryce Elder. Meanwhile, Ritchie’s latest stint in the majors came to an end after he tossed 3 2/3 innings on Tuesday night, allowing three runs on three hits, two of which were home runs, and three walks while striking out four in an effort that required 68 pitches.
Ritchie will not be an option for a few days, and given the minimum stay in the minors after being optioned is 15 days, it will be a waiting game before he can return. First pitch for Wednesday night’s game is scheduled for 7:15 p.m.
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