The New York Mets are giving their bullpen a fresh arm, signing left-handed reliever Cionel Perez to a minor league deal. The move comes as the Mets' relief corps looks to shake things up after a tough stretch.
Perez, who was recently with the Washington Nationals, had an impressive spring training—tossing seven scoreless innings to earn a roster spot. That performance caught the Mets' eye as they scouted him. However, he couldn't carry that momentum into the regular season. After a scoreless debut with the Nationals, Perez allowed runs in each of his next three outings and struggled to find consistency. Washington ultimately designated him for assignment.
His 2024 numbers with the Nationals tell a rough story: a 6.19 ERA with 11 walks and just nine strikeouts over 16 innings. It marks his second consecutive difficult season. But before that, Perez enjoyed a solid three-year run with the Baltimore Orioles from 2022 to 2024. During that stretch, he posted a 3.12 ERA, a 20.2 percent strikeout rate, and a 10.6 percent walk rate, while racking up 57 holds and six saves. That track record is likely what drew the Mets' interest.
One bright spot: Perez still brings heat. With the Nationals, his fastball averaged just above 96 mph. The key for Perez will be command and control, as he has a tendency to hit batters and throw wild pitches. If he can rein that in, his velocity could make him a valuable weapon.
The Mets' bullpen currently ranks eighth in the majors, according to reports, but some of their key free-agent additions have struggled out of the gate. Luke Weaver and closer Devin Williams have both had shaky outings, though underlying metrics suggest their issues may be temporary.
Perez is expected to report to Triple-A Syracuse after signing. All eyes will also be on veteran Craig Kimbrel, who has been dealing with velocity and command issues of his own—most recently costing the Mets a game against the Colorado Rockies. This minor league addition gives the Mets some depth and a potential left-handed option as they look to steady their bullpen for the long haul.