Perez earned a save against the Guardians on Saturday with a perfect inning of work.
After John Means allowed one run over 7.1 frames, Yennier Cano got the call in the eighth inning with Baltimore holding a one-run lead. Cano retired both batters he faced before turning it over to Perez, who pitched a perfect ninth for the save. This was an excellent bounce-back performance for Perez after he gave up three runs without retiring a batter in his previous outing Thursday against Cleveland. Prior to that meltdown, the left-hander hadn't allowed an earned run over his previous 17.2 innings covering 23 appearances.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Disaster in eighth inning
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Perez (4-2) allowed three runs on a hit, a walk and a hit batsman while failing to record an out Thursday, taking the loss versus the Guardians.
The Orioles rallied to tie the game in the top of the eighth inning, but Perez loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame before Jacob Webb allowed all three inherited runners to score. Prior to Thursday, Perez hadn't allowed an earned run since July 26, a span of 17.2 innings. He's now at a 3.68 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 43:24 K:BB with two saves and 10 holds over 51.1 innings.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Grabs one-out save
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Perez struck out the only batter he faced to earn the save in Tuesday's 9-5 win over the Astros.
Yennier Cano put two runners on, but Perez was able to escape the jam for his second save of the season. Over his last 23 appearances spanning 17.2 innings, Perez has allowed two unearned runs, 12 hits and two walks while striking out 17, though he has just one save, two holds and a win in that span. The southpaw had a rough start to the season, but he's now at a respectable 3.16 ERA despite a 1.48 WHIP and 43:23 K:BB through 51.1 innings overall. Perez has added 10 holds and a 4-1 record, and he's had more high-leverage chances since Felix Bautista (elbow) has been out.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Collects fourth win
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Perez (4-1) walked one but didn't allow a hit or a run over 1.1 innings to earn the win Sunday over the Mets.
Perez has steadied himself since the All-Star break, allowing three runs over 7.1 innings while picking up a save and two wins. The southpaw still has mediocre ratios for the year with a 4.30 ERA, 1.70 WHIP and 29:22 K:BB while picking up eight holds over 37.2 innings. Perez will likely continue to serve as more of a middle reliever for an Orioles bullpen that sports a 3.55 ERA collectively, fourth-best in the majors.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Grabs first save
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Perez picked up the save Monday against the Phillies, working around a hit and a walk in a scoreless ninth inning.
Perez got the call in the ninth with Felix Bautista having pitched in Baltimore's previous two games. After retiring the first two Phillies in the inning, Perez surrendered a base hit and a walk before coaxing a groundout from Johan Rojas to strand the tying and winning runs. While Perez isn't likely to see much closing work going forward, he's been solid lately, pitching to a 1.93 ERA over his last nine appearances (9.1 innings). Overall, the southpaw sports a 4.54 ERA with a 1.78 WHIP and 26:20 K:BB through 33.2 innings this season.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Collects third win
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Perez (3-1) struck out the only batter he faced to earn the win in Saturday's 6-5 victory over the Rays.
Perez got the last out of the eighth inning after newcomer Shintaro Fujinami allowed the tying run to score. The Orioles then retook the lead in the ninth inning, and Felix Bautista slammed the door to get Perez the win in his third appearance since returning from forearm soreness. Perez has allowed multiple runs in five of his last 14 outings, but he's kept runs off the board in the other nine appearances in that span. Overall, he's at a 4.68 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 26:19 K:BB with eight holds through 32.2 innings. The southpaw remains part of the Orioles' high-leverage mix, but Yennier Cano sees most of the setup work and Danny Coulombe is likely considered the top southpaw in this bullpen.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Returns from injured list
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Perez (forearm) was activated from the 15-day injured list Tuesday, Andy Kostka of TheBaltimoreBanner.com reports.
Perez wound up missing just the minimum 15 days with left forearm soreness. Nick Vespi was sent down in a corresponding move.
Perez (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Bowie on Saturday, Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports.
It's unclear whether Perez will move to Triple-A Norfolk after pitching for Bowie, but the 27-year-old lefty seems to be trending toward a quick return either way. Perez landed on the injured list July 4 with left forearm soreness, and there was never a high level of concern surrounding his injury. He's eligible to return Tuesday.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Lands on IL with sore forearm
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Perez was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with left forearm soreness, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
Perez felt soreness while playing catch Monday. The Orioles' level of concern with the reliever is considered low, so it sounds like he has a shot to be back when first eligible on July 18.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Snags win Sunday
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Perez (2-1) earned the win Sunday over the Twins, striking out one in a perfect inning.
Perez had allowed at least one baserunner in each of his last 13 appearances, giving up 10 runs (eight earned) on 16 hits and seven walks over 12.2 innings in that span. He was an effective setup man last season, but Perez's regression with walks (4.7 BB/9) has made it a difficult first half of 2023 for the southpaw. He has a 4.45 ERA, 1.78 WHIP and 22:16 K:BB over 30.1 innings while adding eight holds through 33 appearances. Perez will still get some late-inning work, but he's no threat to Felix Bautista's closer role, whiel Danny Coulombe has surpassed Perez as the Orioles' top lefty reliever.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Takes loss Sunday
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Perez (1-1) allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while recording one strikeout in one-third of an inning to take the extra-innings loss versus Atlanta on Sunday.
Perez intentionally walked Marcell Ozuna with one out in the 12th inning, but Michael Harris knocked a walkoff double to win the game. It's been tough for Perez to find consistency this season -- he's yet to go more than three appearances without surrendering a run. He remains in a setup role for the Orioles, but he has a 4.61 ERA, 2.27 WHIP and 12:9 K:BB through 13.2 innings. He's added six holds, and he could be in danger of losing his current role once Mychal Givens (knee) and Dillon Tate (forearm) are ready to return.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Nabs win Friday
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Perez (1-0) allowed a run on three hits and struck out one over one inning to earn the win Friday over the Yankees.
Perez has had some mixed results through 4.1 innings across four appearances this season. He's struck out five without walking a batter, but he's been tagged for two runs and seven hits. Perez has worked in a high-leverage role as expected, though he's unlikely to challenge Felix Bautista for ninth-inning work.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Solid so far in spring
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Perez has allowed one earned run on six hits and two walks over five innings in five Grapefruit League appearances.
Perez was initially viewed as an option for saves, but with Felix Bautista recovered from his shoulder and knee issues, it looks like that won't be necessary to start the year. What holds true is Perez's status as the Orioles' top lefty reliever, with strong results in spring games coming off of last year's 1.40 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 55:21 K:BB over 57.2 innings. He had 24 holds a year ago, so he should have every opportunity to remain in a setup role to begin 2023.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Snares seventh win
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Perez (7-1) pitched a perfect inning and struck out one, earning the win Sunday over the Red Sox.
Perez entered the game after Franchy Cordero took Dillon Tate deep for a game-tying solo home run in the eighth inning. Perez was much sharper, and he became the pitcher of record as the Orioles pulled ahead in their half of the frame. Since the All-Star break, he's given up three runs in 12 innings, all of which came in an Aug. 17 appearance versus the Blue Jays. The southpaw has a 1.67 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 42:17 K:BB through 43 innings while adding one save and 17 holds in a setup role.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Remains in setup role
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Perez continues to operate as a setup man and has a win and two holds over 4.1 scoreless innings since Baltimore sent closer Jorge Lopez to Minnesota at the trade deadline.
Manager Brandon Hyde initially indicated Perez, Felix Bautista and Dillon Tate would be in the mix for save opportunities after Lopez's departure, but it's Bautista who has received and successfully converted all three of the team's save chances since the trade. Overall Perez has one save and 17 holds with a 1.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 40:15 K:BB across 40.1 innings this year, and he should continue to work in a setup role while Bautista remains effective and healthy.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: In mix to close
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Manager Brandon Hyde named Perez, Felix Bautista and Dillon Tate as the candidates to serve as Baltimore's closer after Jorge Lopez was traded to Minnesota, Nathan Ruiz of The Baltimore Sun reports.
The three have operated as setup men for the Orioles this year, and the group will now be in a closing committee with Hyde utilizing a matchups-based approach. Perez has one save and 15 holds with a 1.25 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 34:15 K:BB across 36 innings this season. Bautista seems like the best option to head the committee, but it remains to be seen exactly how the group's usage breaks down with Lopez out of the picture.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Takes first loss
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Perez (4-1) allowed a run on one hit and struck out two in two-thirds of an inning, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Mariners.
Perez put J.P. Crawford aboard with two outs in the eighth inning. Felix Bautista then gave up a pair of hits, allowing two runs to score, with the decisive one going on Perez's line for his first loss of the year. This is just the fourth time in 29 appearances the southpaw has been charged with a run, and he still has a steady 1.52 ERA despite a 1.48 WHIP and 23:11 K:BB across 23.2 innings. Perez has added a save and nine holds as a high-leverage option for the Orioles this year.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Picks up win Wednesday
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Perez (4-0) allowed a hit and struck out one over 1.1 scoreless innings, earning the win Wednesday over the Mariners.
Starter Kyle Bradish couldn't complete five innings, so Perez entered the game and got credit for the win. The 26-year-old reliever has earned all four of his wins and two of his four holds in his last 10 outings, and he hasn't allowed any runs in his last seven games. Overall, the southpaw has a 0.55 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 17:7 K:BB across 16.1 innings.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Snags win in extras
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Perez (2-0) earned the win Sunday versus the Rays. He allowed a hit and two walks while striking out three in two scoreless innings.
Perez worked the 10th and 11th innings after a rain delay, and he was able to keep the Rays at bay long enough for the Orioles to get the win. Through eight appearances in May, the southpaw has allowed just one run in 7.2 innings. He owns a 0.66 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB with three holds in 16 outings overall. His solid pitching, albeit somewhat lucky, has earned him a high-leverage relief role.
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Orioles' Cionel Perez: Scooped by O's
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The Orioles claimed Perez off waivers from the Reds on Wednesday.
Perez, 25, will be moving on to the third organization of his professional career after stops with Houston and Cincinnati. After being acquired by the Reds last January, Perez split time between the big club and Triple-A Louisville in 2021, making 25 appearances out of the bullpen at the MLB level while posting a 6.38 ERA and a 25:20 K:BB over 24 innings. Trimming his 18 percent walk rate will be essential for Perez to find any success while he moves to Baltimore, but as a lefty with a live arm, he's an interesting flier for an Orioles squad short on relief talent.
