Braves' Martín Pérez Expected to Land on IL

Pérez's injury occurred during the fifth inning of Sunday's game against New York when he was hit by a line drive off the bat of Juan Soto. Pérez, however, was able to retire Soto in that frame as well as the final nine batters he faced before being pulled with two outs in the fifth.

Prior to retiring his final nine batters faced, Pérez retired just two of the first 11 batters he faced, finishing the afternoon allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits over 4.1 innings with two walks and just one strikeout. Now, the 35-year-old is likely heading towards an IL stint, joining a number of Braves starters on the shelf.

Atlanta has been without Spencer Schwellenbach all season after he was placed on the IL back in February due to right elbow inflammation, which later required surgery to remove loose bodies from his elbow. Spencer Strider has made just eight starts this season due to a left oblique strain followed by right elbow inflammation.

The Braves have also yet to see both AJ Smith-Shawver and Joey Wentz this season. Smith-Shawver is currently rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, which is expected to keep him out for the rest of this season. Wentz will also not appear this season after tearing his ACL during spring training.

Pérez has now become the latest arm out of Atlanta's rotation to head to the IL. In 17 games (13 starts) this season, Pérez is 6-5 with a 3.77 ERA, 61 strikeouts, 29 walks and a WHIP of 1.16 across 77 innings pitched.

Young right-hander JR Ritchie, who was optioned to Triple-A Gwinnett earlier today, will likely get recalled to replace Pérez in the Braves' rotation.