Braves Placed Martin Perez on Injured List
The 35-year-old pitcher was sidelined with lower back inflammation following a recent outing.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Baseball
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The Atlanta Braves placed pitcher Martin Perez on the 15-day injured list due to lower back inflammation. The move comes after Perez struggled through 4 1/3 innings during a start against the Houston Astros.
Why it matters
The roster move forces the team to adjust its pitching depth as they manage multiple health concerns ahead of the postseason. Perez has been a steady contributor this year, maintaining a 3.04 ERA throughout the 2026 season.
Martin Perez, 35, recorded a 3.04 ERA during the 2026 season before his injury. He last pitched 4 1/3 innings against the Houston Astros on September 20.
The players
Martin Perez
He is a 35-year-old pitcher who holds a 3.04 ERA for the 2026 season.
Elieser Hernandez
He is a right-handed pitcher who was added to the roster following the injury news.
Reynaldo Lopez
He is a pitcher for the Braves who was sidelined on September 15 due to right shoulder inflammation.
Chris Sale
He is an Atlanta Braves pitcher who is slated to start Game 1 of the Wild Card round.
Tyler Mahle
He is an Atlanta Braves pitcher who is slated to start Game 2 of the Wild Card round.
The details
In a corresponding roster move, the organization added Elieser Hernandez to the team. The Braves are navigating a depleted rotation, with Reynaldo Lopez also currently sidelined since September 15 with right shoulder inflammation.
Timeline
September 15, 2026: Reynaldo Lopez was placed on the injured list.
September 20, 2026: Martin Perez made his final start against the Houston Astros.
September 24, 2026: The Braves officially announced the roster moves.
October 6, 2026: This is the earliest possible return date for Martin Perez.
Season Trajectory
The loss of a veteran arm like Perez shifts the rotation depth as the team prepares for the Wild Card round. His absence forces the club to rely on other starters while Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle hold down the first two spots in the series.
Fantasy managers and bettors should note that Elieser Hernandez will fill a vacancy in the staff while Perez remains out through at least October 6. The club must now finalize its pitching plan for the upcoming Wild Card series without two key contributors.
The takeaway
Managing player health during the final weeks of the regular season remains critical for teams heading into postseason play. Keeping depth charts flexible allows organizations to withstand late-season injuries and maintain rotation stability.
What happens next
The Atlanta Braves are scheduled to begin the Wild Card round with Chris Sale starting Game 1 and Tyler Mahle starting Game 2.
Further reading
For more on roster updates and team news, visit the Atlanta Baseball page.
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