3 Surprise Rangers Who Could Make the Postseason Roster
By Tyler Maher
2. Martin Perez
It definitely hasn't been a banner year for Perez, who went from being an All-Star in 2022 to losing his rotation job halfway through 2023. His 4.98 ERA and a 5.31 FIP through the end of July were to blame for that.
It's not always easy for a starter to transition to a bullpen role, especially midway through the season. Fortunately, the shift has been a positive one in Perez's case.
After some initial bumps, Perez has settled into his new role over the last month. In his last 10 appearances spanning 20 1/3 innings, the veteran lefty owns a stellar 1.77 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP.
We already mentioned how being a lefty is an advantage, as is Perez's ability to over multiple innings. If a starter comes out early, Perez is the perfect bulk guy to help you navigate the middle innings and build a bridge to the back of the bullpen.
Perez also has some postseason experience, most of which came two years ago with the Boston Red Sox. He faced the Houston Astros four times in that series (all in relief), so he's comfortable facing some of the most dangerous hitters in baseball.