After making several roster moves this week, pitcher Cionel Perez has declared for free agency and declined the option from the Washington Nationals
After making a handful of moves with the pitching staff through the weekend, the Washington Nationals saw one player depart the organization on Monday.
The team announced that Cionel Perez has declared for free agency instead of being sent down to Triple A, ending his time with the organization at least for now.
Perez was sent down to the minors on Saturday after the Nationals announced that Orlando Ribalta had been recalled to take his spot on the 40 man roster. His final appearance materialized on Friday night when the Milwaukee Brewers opened the three game series at Nationals Park with a 6-1 loss as Perez allowed a pair of hits across two innings pitched. It marked the third consecutive outing that Perez did not allow one run, allowing just two hits over four innings during that span.
In 16 games this season, Perez has notched a 6.19 ERA and 1.69 WHIP while tossing nine strikeouts and allowing 11 walks in 16 innings pitched.
He initially signed with the Nationals on a minor league deal back on Feb. 14 after spending five seasons in Baltimore. Perez already saw the bulk of his $1.9 million guarantee already materialize after making the Nationals' 40-man roster with the front office now looking outside the organization for potential future help.
While the Nationals put together a more encouraging performance despite the series loss against the Brewers, the move also comes as pitching coach Simon Matthews has tried to find the answers to turn around what has proven to be a sore spot. Washington exited the weekend ranked in the bottom five in baseball in team ERA, hits allowed, earned runs allowed, hit by pitches, home runs allowed and strikeouts thrown. Teams are also hitting .258 against the Nationals in 2026, which ranks 23rd across the MLB, despite the offense largely proving to be one of the most efficient in baseball.
The Nationals also did not waste any time filling Perez's spot on the roster after also announcing that former Minnesota Twins right handed pitcher Zak Kent had been claimed off waivers while the team announced he was also optioned to Triple A Rochester.
With the Nationals enjoying an off day on Monday, the team will return to Nationals Park to continue its home stand when the Minnesota Twins, Kent's former team, heads to town for a three game series in the first and last meeting between the two teams this season.