Braves' Starting Rotation Receives Boost Before Padres Game

Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Braves' Starting Rotation Receives Boost Before Padres Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Jul 22, 2026 12:04 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves face off against the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. It's the third matchup in this four-game series, with Atlanta winning the series opener 3-2 on Monday, and San Diego responding on Tuesday, winning 8-3.

While the Braves sit at 58-42 on the season and hold a three-game lead in the National League East, the roster has several glaring weaknesses. This season, their starting pitchers rank 20th in innings pitched (511.1), ninth in ERA (4.01), are tied for 16th in WHIP (1.31), rank 15th in strikeouts (479) and are tied for 10th in opponent batting average (.240).

With injuries to Spencer Strider (60-day IL), AJ Smith-Shawver (60-day IL) and Spencer Schwellenback (60-day IL), the starting rotation hasn't been able to play at full strength.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Martin Perez.Brett Davis-Imagn Images

However, the group is set to receive a key reinforcement. Left-handed pitcher Martin Perez has not appeared in a game since July 5 against the New York Mets. The 35-year-old was placed on the 15-day IL due to a forearm injury.

Luckily for the Braves, though, he is set to make his return. On Wednesday, Atlanta announced that Perez has been activated off the IL.

"The #Braves today reinstated LHP Martín Pérez from the injured list and optioned RHP JR Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett," the team wrote via an X post.

The #Braves today reinstated LHP Martín Pérez from the injured list and optioned RHP JR Ritchie to Triple-A Gwinnett.
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) July 22, 2026

While Pérez has been a journeyman throughout his 15-year career, he's putting together a solid first season with the Braves. He's appeared in 18 games and made 14 starts, accumulating a 3.54 ERA, a 1.19 WHIP and 62 strikeouts. His opponents are slashing .221/.298/.388 for a .686 OPS.

On a one-year, $3.5 million contract, he has emerged as an important piece of the Braves' starting rotation. He now returns with hopes of making an immediate impact. After being activated, Chad Bishop of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that Perez is set to start against the Padres on Wednesday.

Making his return, Atlanta hopes that the veteran left-hander can help stabilize a rotation that has been hit hard by injuries.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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