3.02 ERA All-Star was arguably Braves' next best pitcher after Chris Sale

Chris Sale is the best arm on the Atlanta Braves' pitching staff.

Atlanta's rotation dealt with a high number of injuries in 2026, and the NL East club has managed to help lead them to the NLDS.

One of the more underrated pitchers from the Braves' 2026 season is a veteran left-hander who is currently injured.

Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter wrote Friday that he was Atlanta's "biggest surprise" this season.

"The Braves signed [Martin] Pérez to a minor league deal during the offseason and even floated him through a DFA/re-signing stretch before he settled in as one of the most reliable starters on a banged-up staff," Reuter wrote. "At a modest $3.5 million price tag, he finished second among Braves pitchers with 2.9 WAR."

It's safe to say Perez, a 15-year veteran, exceeded expectations after signing a minor league deal.

Sale led the pitching staff with 5.5 WAR, but Perez was behind him, beating out right-hander Grant Holmes by 0.2 WAR.

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Perez doesn't have overpowering stuff, as evidenced by his 102 strikeouts in 142 innings. But he generates weak contact and an above-average amount of ground balls.

In 30 appearances, including 26 starts, Perez posted a 3.04 ERA and allowed less (0.9) than one home run per nine innings.

Perez was unavailable during the Wild Card Series with lower back inflammation. There's certainly a chance the Braves could have interest in a reunion this offseason.