Pittsburgh Pirates Activate Martín Pérez Off Injured List to Make Start Friday

Martín Pérez is rejoining the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation in time for their series opener against the Atlanta Braves on Friday, fresh off a full month on the injured list.

May 26, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Martín Pérez (54) delivers a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning at PNC Park. / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates have reinstated left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez from the 15-day injured list, the team announced Friday afternoon.

Pérez, who had been dealing with a left groin muscle strain for the past month, will face the Atlanta Braves on Friday night.

The veteran southpaw last took the mound in the big leagues on May 26, also against the Braves. He gave up one earned run in 3.0 innings of work that day before exiting with his groin injury, and he hit the IL on May 28.

Pérez made one rehab start with Triple-A Indianapolis on June 22, allowing one earned run and striking out five on 63 pitches across 5.0 innings.

To make room on the active 26-man roster, Justin Bruihl was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis in Pérez's place.

We have ended the rehab assignment of LHP Martín Pérez and reinstated him from the 15-day injured list.
 
To make room on the 26-man active roster, LHP Justin Bruihl was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis following Wednesday’s game.

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) June 28, 2024

Pérez was 1-3 with a 4.71 ERA, 1.552 WHIP and 0.0 WAR in 11 starts before he got hurt.

In the six starts he made between March and April, Pérez posted a 2.86 ERA and 1.356 WHIP. The 33-year-old then made five starts in May, putting up a 7.54 ERA and 1.853 WHIP in that time.

Pérez signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Pirates in December, fresh off winning a World Series with the Texas Rangers. He was one of several veteran additions Pittsburgh made to its rotation this past offseason, alongside Marco Gonzales.

The Pirates have had some of the best starting pitching in baseball over the past few months, but not because of Pérez or Gonzales, who have both been out. Instead, homegrown ace Mitch Keller has returned to form, while rookies Jared Jones and Paul Skenes have cemented themselves as forces to be reckoned with.

Still, getting Pérez back in the fold will help Pittsburgh take some pressure off of its young guns, and that starts with his return to action Friday in Atlanta.

FIrst pitch from Truist Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

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