The Chicago White Sox were dealt an unexpected blow when starting pitcher Martín Pérez was placed on the 15-day injured list with a left shoulder strain. The injury occurred during Wednesday’s matchup against the Baltimore Orioles, cutting Pérez’s start short. With only nine games remaining in the season, Pérez’s postgame comments suggested his year might be over — a concern that was later confirmed by an MRI.
Shoulder Strain Diagnosis
Manager Will Venable addressed the situation ahead of Friday’s game against the San Diego Padres, confirming that the MRI revealed a shoulder strain that will keep Pérez out for the rest of the season. “He’s done for the season. It’s a shoulder strain, and that puts his recovery timeline around eight weeks,” Venable said. Although the news is unfortunate, it appears Pérez avoided a more serious injury. Venable remained hopeful, saying the veteran pitcher is expected to make a full recovery and be ready for the start of next season.
Rotation Shuffle Following Pérez’s Injury
With Martín Pérez sidelined, the White Sox have been forced to reshuffle their starting rotation. Davis Martin is scheduled to start Friday’s game, with Yoendrys Gómez and Sean Burke expected to pitch over the weekend. The team has yet to announce its starters for the upcoming series against the New York Yankees. Manager Will Venable acknowledged the uncertainty, stating, “We’ll see how the next couple of days play out.”
Pérez realized something was wrong during the second inning of his last outing but continued until there were two outs in the third before calling for assistance. “I just felt soreness. I didn’t want to risk it or push through it,” he said. His outing ended after 3.2 innings, during which he allowed five hits and three earned runs.
A Difficult Season for the Veteran
This latest injury adds to an already trying season for Pérez, who missed a significant stretch from mid-April to mid-August with a left flexor tendon strain. When healthy, he proved to be a reliable presence, both on the field and in the clubhouse, recording a 3.54 ERA and 1.10 WHIP across 56 innings. His leadership has been especially valuable to a young and developing pitching staff.
Venable praised Pérez for his influence and professionalism throughout the year. “He’s been a tremendous leader, both on and off the field. After everything he’s dealt with, he’s remained a role model for the younger guys. We were fortunate to have him,” he said.
Future Contract Uncertainty
Looking ahead, the White Sox must make a key decision regarding Pérez’s future. The team holds a mutual option worth $10 million for the 2026 season, with a $1.5 million buyout. Despite the setback, Pérez has made it clear he wants to stay, a sentiment echoed by general manager Chris Getz. “When he’s been on the mound, he’s performed well. But beyond that, he brings professionalism and leadership to our clubhouse,” Getz said. Still, the injury adds a layer of complexity to the team’s offseason decision-making.
As the White Sox move forward, attention will turn to how they fill the void left by Pérez and what role he might play in the team’s future plans.
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