Cionel Pérez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Baltimore Orioles reliever Cionel Perez stepped up in a big way on Saturday, securing his first save of the season. Craig Kimbreltook a breather after registering saves in both prior games against the White Sox. This had the Orioles calling upon Prez to protect a two-run lead thanks to a fireworks-filled eighth inning, which saw Baltimore score five runs. Against the bottom third of the lowly Chicago batting order, Prez wasted no time, striking out one and needing only 10 pitches to close out Baltimore's third straight victory. The 28-year-old owns a 5.06 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and 9:6 K: BB across 10 2/3 innings in 2024. Fantasy managers searching for saves can add Perez in deep-league formats.

Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Cionel Perez (oblique) was reinstated from the 15-day injured list Monday and pitched a scoreless inning in a 2-0 win over the Yankees. Perez had been dealing with a right oblique strain. Dillon Tate was optioned in a corresponding move. Perez has made just two appearances this season, allowing two runs over an inning plus of work. The 28-year-old has been a reliable later-inning arm for the O's over the past couple of seasons, making him worth a look in saves-plus-holds leagues.

The Baltimore Orioles announced on Monday that they agreed to terms with left-hander Cionel Perez on an undisclosed one-year deal for the 2024 season with a club option for 2025 to avoid salary arbitration. Perez was seeking $1.4 million in arbitration for the 2024 season, and the Orioles had countered at $1.1 million. The 27-year-old southpaw from Cuba posted a 3.54 ERA (3.84 FIP) and 1.56 WHIP with a career-high three saves, 27 walks and 44 strikeouts in 53 1/3 innings over 65 relief outings in 2023 in his second year in Baltimore. In six major-league seasons since debuting in 2018 with the Houston Astros, Perez has gone 13-6 with a decent 3.56 ERA (4.15 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP with four saves and a 21.3 percent strikeout rate over 161 2/3 relief innings.