According to Francys Romero of Beisbolfr.com, the New York Mets signed Cuban left-handed pitcher Cionel Pérez to a minor league contract on May 6.
https://x.com/francysromeroFR/status/2052097730915299573
The Mets have not yet announced which level Pérez will be assigned to.
The 30-year-old from Matanzas, Cuba has played nine seasons in Major League Baseball with the Houston Astros from 2018-20, the Cincinnati Reds in 2021, and the Baltimore Orioles from 2022-25, before electing free agency on May 4 from the Washington Nationals after being sent outright to Triple-A Rochester on May 2.
Pérez was 2-3 with the Nationals in 2026, posting a 6.19 ERA in 16 appearances out of the bullpen. He threw 16 innings, allowing 16 hits, 11 earned runs, two home runs, 11 walks, nine strikeouts, and a 1.688 WHIP.
Pérez originally signed with Washington on a minor league contract on February 16, prior to the 2026 Grapefruit League season.
Cincinnati Reds’ Cionel Perez throws during a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals in Cincinnati, Saturday, April 3, 2021. The Reds won 9-6. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Houston Astros catcher Garrett Stubbs, left, and relief pitcher Cionel Perez (52) confer between innings during a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels Monday, Aug. 24, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Cionel Pérez throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in Baltimore, Saturday, May 17, 2025. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
Washington Nationals pitcher Cionel Pérez throws during a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Saturday, April 18, 2026, in Washington. (AP Photo/Terrance Williams)
He appeared in seven games during spring training, throwing seven innings without allowing an earned run, while giving up two hits, one walk, and recording seven strikeouts. The Nationals selected his contract from Triple-A Rochester on March 23.
Last season, Pérez split time between Baltimore and Triple-A Norfolk.
Pérez appeared in 19 games for the Orioles in 2025, posting an 8.31 ERA. He threw 21.2 innings, allowing 28 hits, 20 earned runs, three home runs, 18 walks, 21 strikeouts, and a 2.123 WHIP, before being designated for assignment on May 24, 2025, and later sent outright to Triple-A Norfolk on May 31, 2025.
With Triple-A Norfolk, Pérez went 1-2 with a 6.85 ERA in 21 appearances, throwing 22.1 innings, allowing 30 hits, 17 earned runs, one home run, 19 walks, 23 strikeouts, and a 2.194 WHIP, before electing free agency on September 29, 2025.
In his nine seasons in the majors, Pérez has a lifetime record of 17-9 with a 4.34 ERA in 273 appearances, throwing 253 innings, with six saves, 238 hits allowed, 122 earned runs, 20 home runs, 140 walks, 227 strikeouts, and a 1.494 WHIP.
