MIAMI -- No matter whether he’s starting or coming out of the bullpen, it’s still the same red stitches on the white ball and strike zone for Martín Pérez.
The veteran left-hander has continued to embrace his swingman role with the Braves this season, giving Atlanta stability in multiple spots while setting an example for the rest of the pitching staff. Even if it is not his preferred role, Pérez has made the most of it.
That versatility was shown again Tuesday afternoon in Atlanta’s 8-4 win over the Marlins at loanDepot park. Pérez notched a career high 10 strikeouts, relying on his changeup 26 times out of his 78 pitches and generating a 47% whiff rate with that offering. The changeup produced four strikeouts.
Xavier Edwards homered on the second pitch he saw from Pérez in the first, sending an 85.8 mph cutter into the Marlins’ bullpen in left field.
Entering Tuesday, opponents had a .091 batting average against Pérez’s changeup, the fifth-lowest BA against that pitch among 68 qualified MLB pitchers.
It was also Pérez’s sixth start in 10 appearances this season and his first since May 6 after a return to the bullpen. The southpaw has a 2.85 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 38 strikeouts across 41 innings this year. Last time Pérez pitched, he made an appearance out of the bullpen against Boston on May 16, throwing 14 pitches in relief.
Pérez has been one of Atlanta’s steadiest arms. In his previous start against Seattle, he allowed two runs over 5 2/3 innings. Outside of a four-run outing at Arizona on April 5, Pérez owns a 1.45 ERA (five earned runs across 31 innings) in his other eight games, including four starts.
The Marlins have also been a favorable matchup for Pérez throughout his career. Entering Tuesday, he was 1-1 with a 2.96 ERA across five appearances (four starts) against Miami, last facing the club on Aug. 9, 2024, while pitching for San Diego.