Six Scoreless Innings, a Perfect Return

Martín Pérez capped an extraordinary week by delivering the performance Atlanta needed most. On Friday night at Citizens Bank Park, the 35-year-old left-hander threw six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, as the Braves cruised to a 9-0 win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Austin Riley provided the offensive firepower, launching a three-run homer in the second inning off Taijuan Walker before adding a second home run later in the game. The opposite-field shot was Riley's second in four at-bats dating back to Wednesday's win over the Marlins — a sign that the slugger's early-season struggles may be behind him.

A Week No One Saw Coming

Just days ago, Pérez had been designated for assignment by the Braves despite allowing just one run on two hits over five innings against Cleveland. The move wasn't about his performance — it was about roster math. With key relievers Tyler Kinley, Aaron Bummer, and Osvaldo Bido unavailable after pitching in consecutive games, the Braves needed to call up Dylan Dodd to shore up the bullpen.

The club DFA'd Pérez banking on his $3.5 million salary deterring other teams from claiming him off waivers. The gamble paid off. Pérez cleared waivers, then rejected an outright assignment that would have kept him in the minors for 15 days. By electing free agency and then signing a minor league deal, he engineered his own return to Atlanta's rotation just in time for the Philadelphia series opener.

A Rotation Defying the Odds

With four starters on the injured list, the Braves' rotation has been a work in progress — and yet it leads the majors in ERA. Pérez now holds a 2.21 ERA across four appearances this season, making a compelling case that the team made the right call in bringing him back.

On Friday, he escaped a first-inning bases-loaded jam by striking out Edmundo Sosa and getting J.T. Realmuto to fly out. He also stranded Bryce Harper after a one-out triple in the third. Pérez retired 11 of the final 13 batters he faced, underscoring how firmly he has settled into his role.

Atlanta leads the majors in both runs scored and ERA — a dual dominance that few expected given the injury toll. Pérez's improbable journey back to the mound is now a symbol of a team finding a way to win regardless of the obstacles.