Perez (1-2) took the loss Friday, giving up three runs on eight hits over 5.1 innings as the Pirates fell 3-2 to the Rockies. He struck out four without walking a batter.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran lefty was engaged in a scoreless pitchers' duel with Cal Quantrill through five innings, but Perez ran out of gas in the sixth. He exited after 88 pitches (61 strikes), coming up two outs short of his fourth quality start of the season. Perez will take a 3.15 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 31:13 K:BB through 40 innings into his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next week against the Angels.

Perez pitched six innings in a no-decision against the Giants on Saturday, allowing one unearned run on four hits and two walks over six innings while striking out four.

EDGE Analysis

Perez was highly-efficient Saturday, retiring 11 of the first 13 batters he faced before eventually surrendering an RBI double to Wilmer Flores in the bottom of the sixth. It marked the veteran lefty's third start this season in which he lasted six or more innings, and he's now given up two or fewer runs in four of his six outings overall. On the downside, he's also issued multiple walks in all but one start this season.

Perez (1-1) picked up the loss Sunday against the Red Sox, allowing four runs on six hits over four innings. He walked four and struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The day began with a seven pitch walk which set the tone for the Boston effort against Perez, who was consistently battled throughout his outing and labored through 91 pitches over four-plus innings. Perez came into the game with just seven walks and 16 strikeouts through four starts spanning 24.2 innings, but uncharacteristically walked four and struck out seven on the day, leading to the elevated pitch count. Despite allowing eight baserunners through four, Perez held the Red Sox in check by allowing just two runs. He was then pulled after allowing the first two runners to reach base in the fifth with a one-out single by Reese McGuire off reliever Ryder Ryan plating both inherited runners and saddling Perez with four earned runs allowed. Perez will look to rebound in his next start, tentatively slated to take place during next weekend's series in San Francisco against the Giants.

Perez did not factor into the decision Monday against the Mets, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks over 5.2 innings. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Perez was pitching well again through his first five innings until being chased by three Mets hits and a walk in the sixth inning. The 33-year-old veteran has provided stability to the rotation during his first year in Pittsburgh, pitching to the tune of a 2.55 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 16:7 K:BB over 24.2 innings. Perez is scheduled to make his next start at home against the Red Sox.

Perez didn't factor in the decision Tuesday after he gave up one run on six hits and no walks over eight innings during a 5-3 loss to the Tigers. He struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran left-hander pitched well in his first two starts of the campaign with three runs allowed across 11 innings, but he was outright dominant Tuesday as he threw 70 of his 100 pitches for strikes and generated a combined 36 called and swinging strikes. Perez was in line for his second victory before closer David Bednar fell apart in the ninth inning. Perez is off to one of the best starts of his big-league career with a 1.89 ERA through three turns, with a matchup versus the Phillies awaiting him this weekend.

Perez (1-0) earned the win over Washington on Thursday, pitching 6.2 innings and allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out six batters.

EDGE Analysis

Perez was efficient in the outing, needing a modest 85 pitches to get through 6.2 frames. He induced just eight swinging strikes but was still able to notch six punchouts, and he picked up both his first win and his first quality start as a Pirate. Perez was ineffective last year with the Rangers, recording a 4.45 ERA, 1.30 WHIP and 5.9 K/9 over 141.2 innings. He's started off 2024 on a better foot, however, allowing just three runs through 11 frames despite an uninspiring 8:5 K:BB.

Perez didn't factor into the decision against the Marlins on Friday, allowing one run on six hits and three walks over 4.1 innings while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran lefty was stingy when it came to runs, but Perez needed 86 pitches (50 strikes) to record 13 outs and couldn't last long enough to qualify for the win in an eventual 7-2 victory. He's expected to give the Pirates some reliable innings this season, but after working as a swingman for the Rangers last season and making 15 of his 35 appearances in relief, Perez could be a bullpen candidate once prospects like Paul Skenes and Bubba Chandler are deemed ready for the majors.

Perez has allowed one earned run across 12 innings with a 13:4 K:BB in Grapefruit League action.

EDGE Analysis

There are a couple of vacancies in the back of the Pirates' rotation, but Perez will be locked in as a starter to begin the regular season. He built up to five innings in an outing against the Philies on Monday, racking up eight strikeouts against two walks without allowing a run. Despite the strong form, there should be some skepticism about Perez's performance, as he's posted an ERA above 4.40 in six of his last seven campaigns.

Perez signed a one-year, $8 million contract with the Pirates on Monday, Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports.

EDGE Analysis

Perez accepted a qualifying offer from the Rangers last offseason following his surprising 2022 campaign, but he struggled to repeat his performance in 2023, collecting a 4.45 ERA, 1.41 WHIP and 93:49 K:BB over 141.2 frames. He also posted one of the lower groundball rates of his career at 45.5 percent. Perez will turn 33 in April and a rebound in Pittsburgh in 2024 seems unlikely.

Perez was credited with his second hold of the season in Sunday's 9-8 win over the Mariners after striking out a batter and allowing two earned runs on one hit and two walks over 1.2 innings out of the bullpen.

EDGE Analysis

After Perez delivered 4.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen Wednesday, manager Bruce Bochy told Jeff Wilson of RangersToday.com that the veteran southpaw might be a candidate to fill the vacant No. 5 spot in the rotation. The open spot in the rotation comes up Tuesday against the Angels, but after throwing 40 pitches in relief Sunday, Perez no longer looks like a realistic option to start for Texas. The Rangers could end up treating Tuesday's contest as more of a bullpen day, with the likes of Andrew Heaney, Jake Latz and Cody Bradford presumably available to cover multiple innings, if needed.