Cuban left-handed pitcher Cionel Pérez made his debut this past Sunday with the Syracuse Mets, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets in the International League. This marks his first appearance with his fourth Major League Baseball organization.
Pérez took to the mound in the seventh inning of an 8-5 loss against the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A team for the Washington Nationals, which was his previous organization.
During his inning, Pérez allowed a hit, surrendered a run, issued two walks, and struck out one batter.
The 29-year-old from Matanzas threw 23 pitches, with 11 strikes, and reached a top speed of 96.5 MPH with his sinker.
Pérez's debut came just four days after inking a minor league deal with the Mets last Wednesday. This followed his clearance through waivers and his decision to enter free agency on May 4.
From Promising Start to Struggles
Pérez's journey to Syracuse has been tumultuous, marked by an uneven season with the Nationals. He signed with them in February after a showcase in Tampa that attracted scouts from nearly 20 MLB teams, where he displayed impressive velocities of 98-99 mph.
He shone during the 2026 spring training, tossing six scoreless innings with a WHIP of 0.50 and five strikeouts, earning a spot on the Opening Day roster—a notable achievement for a pitcher not initially on the 40-man roster.
However, his performance during the regular season declined, with a 6.19 ERA and a WHIP of 1.69 over 16 innings, allowing 11 walks compared to only nine strikeouts.
Past Glory and Recent Decline
Pérez's best season came in 2022 with the Baltimore Orioles, with a 1.40 ERA over 66 appearances, earning praise as a top acquisition by general manager Mike Elias.
Unfortunately, his performance has steadily declined since then, recording ERAs of 3.54 in 2023, 4.53 in 2024, and a troubling 8.31 over 19 appearances in 2025. This led the Orioles to designate him for assignment in May of that year.
He spent the remainder of 2025 in Triple-A Norfolk, posting a 6.85 ERA over 21 games before becoming a free agent on September 29.
Throughout his MLB career, Pérez has appeared in 257 games, with a record of 15-6 and a 4.22 ERA over 237 innings pitched.
As noted by RotoWire, "Control will be crucial for Pérez if he hopes to secure a spot in New York's bullpen, given his 11 walks compared to just nine strikeouts over 16 innings with the Nationals."
Cionel Pérez's Career and Future Prospects
What is Cionel Pérez's pitching style?
Cionel Pérez is known for his sinker, which can reach speeds of up to 96.5 MPH, making it a critical component of his pitching arsenal.
Why did the Nationals release Cionel Pérez?
The Nationals removed Pérez from their 40-man roster due to his inconsistent performance, highlighted by a 6.19 ERA and a high number of walks compared to strikeouts.
How has Cionel Pérez performed in his MLB career?
In his Major League career, Pérez has played in 257 games, achieving a 15-6 record and maintaining a 4.22 ERA over 237 innings.