Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN – The Minnesota Twins announced today that they have signed left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez to a one-year contract.
Pérez, 27, appeared 22 games (15 starts) for the Texas Rangers last season, going 2-7 with a 6.22 ERA (85.1 IP, 59 ER), 36 walks and 52 strikeouts. He began the season on the 10-day disabled list recovering from offseason right (non-throwing) elbow surgery. He missed more time on the disabled list from late April to mid-July with right elbow discomfort related to his offseason surgery.
The Guanare, Venezuela native was originally signed by the Rangers as an undrafted free agent in July 2007 and has pitched parts of seven seasons with Texas, going 43-49 with a 4.63 ERA (761.1 IP, 392 ER), three complete games, 270 walks and 462 strikeouts in 141 games (128 starts). Since 2016, he ranks seventh among American League left-handed pitchers in innings pitched with 469.0.
To make room for Pérez on the 40-man roster, the Twins have designated right-handed pitcher Chase De Jong for release or assignment. De Jong, who was acquired by the Twins during the 2018 season via trade with Seattle, made four starts for the Twins in 2018, going 1-1 with a 3.57 ERA (17.2 IP, 7 ER).