Cionel

Perez

Pérez joins New York’s bullpen mix ahead of Saturday’s game against the Marlins after spending a couple weeks stationed on the doorstep of the big leagues. The 30-year-old southpaw compiled an inflated 6.19 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 9/11 K/BB ratio across 16 innings of work for the Nationals earlier this season.

Pérez was designated for assignment by the Nationals over the weekend, cleared waivers, and opted for free agency. He will now join the Mets’ organization after posting a 6.19 ERA, 1.69 WHIP, and 9/11 K/BB ratio across 16 innings with Washington this season.

Since Pérez has at least five years of Major League Service, he had the option to declare free agency instead of accepting his outright assignment, which is what he did. The 30-year-old posted a 6.19 ERA in 16 innings for the Nationals this season and has a 4.34 ERA in 253 MLB innings over his career.

Pérez passed through waivers unclaimed after struggling to an inflated 6.19 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 9/11 K/BB ratio across 16 innings of work this season. The 30-year-old lefty has the ability to elect free agency or stick around as organizational depth.

Pérez winds up making Washington’s season-opening bullpen as a non-roster invitee after spinning six scoreless frames in Grapefruit League action. The 29-year-old southpaw was a key component of Baltimore’s relief mix over the past four seasons, posting a strong 3.72 ERA across 186 1/3 innings over 212 appearances.

The New York Post’s Jon Heyman adds that Pérez will earn $1.9 million with $700,000 in additional incentives if he makes Washington’s roster. The 29-year-old southpaw struggled this past season, spending most of it at the Triple-A level but was a mainstay in Baltimore’s relief mix during each of the previous three seasons dating back to 2022. He represents an interesting low-risk addition for the rebuilding Nationals as a middle relief option.

McKenzie headlines a group of 19 players who elected minor league free agency earlier this week, including catcher Matt Thaiss; infielders Scott Kingery, Keston Hiura, Sergio Alcántara, Terrin Vavra and Vimael Machín; outfielders Jose Siri, Connor Joe and Jordyn Adams; and relievers Noah Davis, Scott Blewett, Brooks Kriske, Kevin Herget, Cionel Pérez, Darren McCaughan, Richard Lovelady, José Ruiz and Jordan Weems.

Pérez went unclaimed on waivers after being removed from Baltimore’s 40-man roster last weekend. The 29-year-old lefty floundered to an inflated 8.31 ERA across 21 2/3 innings (19 appearances) this season. Given his track record, he should be able to latch on somewhere else, if he winds up electing free agency. However, he might have to settle for a minor league deal.

Pérez was removed from Baltimore’s active roster prior to the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader against the Red Sox. The 29-year-old southpaw struggled to a bloated 8.31 ERA across 21 2/3 innings (19 appearances) this season. Given his previous track record, there should be some interest on waivers.

Pérez has a career 3.80 ERA in 215 1/3 innings but is coming off a bit of a disappointing year, posting a 4.53 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 46/28 K/BB ratio in 53 2/3 innings. In most positive news, he didn’t allow a home run all season, so the Orioles will turn to him again as one of their primary left-handed relievers.