Michael

Perez

Perez provides the Diamondbacks with some experienced organizational catching depth. The 32-year-old journeyman backstop spent last year at the Triple-A level between three different organizations. He hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since the 2023 season when he got into three contests for the Mets.

Perez was acquired by the Mariners back in late May in a trade with the Orioles and finds himself back on the open market with Seby Zavala sticking around at Triple-A Tacoma as extra catching depth. The 31-year-old veteran backstop shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new opportunity.

The 31-year-old backstop has been stationed at Triple-A Norfolk throughout the season — slashing .221/.294/.325 with a pair of homers and 13 RBI in 85 plate appearances. He’ll add catching depth in the upper minors for the Mariners.

Perez got into three contests this past season for the Mets and posted an underwhelming .661 OPS with nine homers in 270 plate appearances for Triple-A Syracuse. The 31-year-old backstop will serve as emergency catching depth for Baltimore next season.

They were among six players that were put on waivers by the Mets on Friday. Anthony Kay was claimed by the Athletics, the others were sent outright to Triple-A Syracuse and refused those assignments — opting instead to test the open market. Ortega had a disappointing season for the Mets, hitting just .219/.341/.272 with one home run in 136 plate appearances.

No surprises here. All six players have the ability to elect free agency, if they pass through waivers unclaimed. Ortega, 32, has his backers, but there’s no reason to keep him on the 40-man roster. He hit .219/.341/.272 with one homer in 136 plate appearances for the Mets.

He’ll take the roster spot of the injured Brandon Nimmo. The 31-year-old backstop will add depth behind the plate for Saturday’s doubleheader against the Phillies. Pérez has gone 4-for-7 (.571) with a double and a run scored in his limited action with the Mets this season.

Pérez was only up for one game this week as the Mets re-shuffled their roster at the trade deadline.

Pérez has appeared in only two games this season in the majors and gets the call after New York shipped off the majority of their short-term contracts prior to Tuesday’s trade deadline.

Pérez has been with the club since Tomás Nido hit the injured list last week, but he’ll head back down to Triple-A with Gary Sánchez getting a chance on the major league roster. He’ll continue to serve as depth in the minors for now.