The Atlanta Braves and left-handed starting pitcher Martin Perez are reportedly in agreement on a minor league contract, according to Aram Leighton of Just Baseball.

The Braves feature a strong top of the rotation. Chris Sale is the ace, while Spencer Schwellenbach and Spencer Strider will hold down the No. 2 and No. 3 rotation spots. There is some uncertainty beyond those three, however.

Reynaldo Lopez may end up in the rotation. A bullpen spot is seemingly not out of the question, though. Meanwhile, the No. 5 rotation spot has a number of possible candidates. It seems as if Perez may be one of the candidates now.

Perez, a 34-year-old veteran, has pitched at the big league level since 2012. He has spent time with the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres and Chicago White Sox. 

In 2022, Perez was an All-Star with Texas. He finished the '22 campaign with an impressive 2.89 ERA across 196.1 innings of work. He struck out a career-best 169 hitters that season as well.

Perez is not that same caliber of pitcher anymore, but that does not mean he cannot find success. In 2025, Perez only appeared in 11 total games (10 starts). Nevertheless, he turned in a respectable 3.54 ERA with the White Sox.

It remains to be seen what his role will end up being in Atlanta. Perez is still more than capable of being a reliable No. 4 or No. 5 starter in a rotation.

Perez could also possibly end up in a bullpen role. If he does not make the team, the Braves could go in a different direction or Perez may end up in the minor leagues. 

One has to imagine Perez will at least be a candidate for the Braves' 2026 starting rotation if he pitches well in spring training. At the moment, it does not appear that Atlanta will sign Framber Valdez or Zac Gallen in free agency despite being linked to both free agent pitchers throughout the offseason.

Could the Braves end up signing one of them if their asking prices drop given their long and uncertain free agencies? It certainly is not out of the question. Right now, however, a rotation spot seems to be open and Martin Perez would surely love to earn the role. He will be a pitcher to closely watch this spring.