Martín Pérez continues to provide value for the Braves in the fifth spot of the rotation

ATLANTA, GA - APRIL 11: Martín Perez #33 of the Atlanta Braves pitches in the first inning during the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Truist Park on April 11, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Matthew Grimes Jr. /Atlanta Braves/Getty Images) | Getty Images Saturday night’s middle game between the Atlanta Braves and the Cleveland Guardians certainly ended in disastrous fashion.

With that being said, it could’ve gone off the rails much earlier than it did and it’s a credit to starting pitcher Martín Pérez that the Braves stayed in the game. Now granted, the lineup had absolutely nothing to offer against Guardians starter Parker Messick but they were at least hypothetically in the game thanks to Pérez’s efforts. Martín Pérez spoke with the media following the game and it’s safe to say that he’s feeling encouraged following his five innings of giving up just one run.

Pérez spoke with the media and continued to reiterate that this is as good as he’s felt on the mound for a couple of years now. “Since I started throwing the ball this year, I feel better,” said Pérez. “Today was a good game, I was attacking the strike zone and I wasn’t missing too far from the [strike zone].

Every time when I go out there, I feel better. I’m going to continue to do my job and continue to give the team the chance to win many games. ” When he was asked about the last time that he felt this good, Pérez explained that it began with the tail end of last season during his stint with the White Sox.