ATLANTA -- Martín Pérez’s attempt to salvage a rough start was ended by a Juan Soto comebacker.
Pérez made an immediate exit after his left forearm was struck by Soto’s 92 mph liner during the fifth inning of Sunday afternoon’s game against the Mets at Truist Park. The Braves’ left-hander didn’t even attempt to throw a warmup pitch before heading to the clubhouse.
Pérez fielded the ball after it hit his arm and threw to first base to retire Soto. The veteran southpaw retired each of the final nine batters he faced. But he retired just two of the first 11 batters he faced and consequently exited facing a 5-3 deficit.
The Braves’ rotation has been an issue over the past few weeks. If Pérez is forced to go on the injured list, the team could bring JR Ritchie back to the Majors. Ritchie was optioned on Sunday morning, after throwing three scoreless innings of relief on Saturday.
Pérez has posted a 3.54 ERA in 18 appearances (81 1/3 innings) for the Braves this year. But he has a 4.85 ERA in the six starts he has made since the start of June.