The Chicago White Sox have made a noteworthy addition to their pitching lineup by securing Martín Pérez with a one-year contract. This agreement comes after negotiations, and according to a source familiar with the situation, it is contingent upon Pérez passing a physical examination.
Pérez, a 33-year-old left-handed pitcher, had a challenging yet productive season last year, playing for both the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres. In 2022, he recorded a 5-6 win-loss record alongside a 4.53 ERA, contributing in 26 starts. Over the course of his career, he has established a record of 90 wins to 87 losses with a 4.44 ERA, spanning 314 major league games and 269 starts.
During the previous season, Pérez faced some setbacks, notably an injury that placed him on the disabled list with a left groin strain from May 28 until June 28. Before his trade to San Diego on July 30, he delivered an impressive performance for Pittsburgh, pitching six scoreless innings in his last game as a Pirate. After joining the Padres, he concluded the season on a high note, achieving a 3-1 record with a 3.46 ERA across his final 10 outings. However, his postseason experience was limited, as the Padres were eliminated by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
The White Sox are aiming to bounce back from a dismal 2024 season, where they suffered a staggering 41-121 record, marking a new low for losses in the post-1900 era of Major League Baseball. In other moves, Chicago confirmed the finalization of a one-year contract worth $3.5 million with infielder Josh Rojas and also designated infielder Jake Amaya for assignment.
Josh Rojas, who turned 30, had a season with the Seattle Mariners where he recorded a batting average of .225, with eight home runs, 31 RBIs, and 10 stolen bases over the course of 143 games. He was non-tendered by the Mariners in November.
Additionally, the White Sox announced that outfielder Corey Julks had cleared waivers and would be assigned outright to Triple-A Charlotte. Conversely, infielder Braden Shewmake was claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals.
Martín Pérez’s major league inception took place in 2012 with the Texas Rangers, and he played a significant role in helping the Rangers secure the 2023 World Series title. In 2022, he was recognized as an American League All-Star, finishing the season with an impressive 12-8 record and a 2.89 ERA during his second tenure with Texas. This contract with Pittsburgh, worth $8 million, was finalized earlier this year.
The recent movements indicate the White Sox are actively reshaping their roster, with a focus on improvement as they enter the next season. Julks was designated for assignment following the acquisition of reliever Cam Booser from the Boston Red Sox, while Shewmake’s designation came after the White Sox added pitcher Tyler Gilbert in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies.
