Cionel

Perez

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.

Domínguez was called upon in a tie ballgame in the bottom of the ninth inning at Citi Field and served up a walk-off homer for the second time in the three-game series when he coughed up a game-winning blast to pinch-hitter Jesse Winker with one out in the frame. Not great. It’s unclear whether Orioles manager Brandon Hyde will consider alternatives in high-leverage spots moving forward, but it would be surprising to see veteran Craig Kimbrel get another look. It’s possible Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez or Gregory Soto could factor into the mix if Domínguez’s struggles persist. We’ll see.

With Craig Kimbrel getting the day off after pitching in back-to-back games, Pérez took the mound in the ninth with a two-run lead over the White Sox. He worked quickly to secure the win, striking out one batter in a clean frame on 10 pitches for his first save.

Perez made just one appearance with the O’s before needing to be placed on the injured list with his left oblique strain. He’ll be a mid-to-late inning option out of the bullpen now that he’s healthy. Dillon Tate is sent back to Triple-A Norfolk to make room on the roster.

The 27-year-old first felt pain while in the bullpen during Saturday’s game against the Angels. Pérez isn’t eligible to return to action until April 15, but we’ll have to monitor his situation as he continues to get back to full strength.

Perez was unable to get an out in his only appearance of the year, and it’s safe to say that the strain didn’t help matters. He’ll miss at least two weeks with the injury, but it’s very plausible he won’t be back on the mound until around the end of April. Jonathan Heasley has been recalled from Triple-A to take Perez’s place.

While the exact financial details haven’t been released, Pérez asked for $1.4 million and the Orioles offered $1.1 million when the sides exchanged figures on Jan. 11. The left-handed reliever struggled out of the gate in 2023, but rebounded with a strong second half, posting a 2.35 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and .202 average against in 32 appearances. He figures to be a key contributor to a strong Baltimore bullpen in 2024.