Braves losing key left-hander ahead of postseason play

Atlanta Braves pitcher Martin Perez. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Braves losing key left-hander ahead of postseason play

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Sep 24, 2026 7:39 PM ET

Entering the 2026 season, the Atlanta Braves certainly weren't planning on veteran left-hander Martin Perez to be one of their top starters.

Injuries forced Perez into the Atlanta rotation, and he's stepped into the role nicely. Perez had figured to start Game 3 of Atlanta's likely National League wild-card series, but that is now not a possibility after an announcement on Thursday.

Martin Perez is headed to the injured list

According to Braves beat writer Mark Bowman, Perez is being placed on the 15-day injured list due to lower back inflammation. The injury comes just four days after Perez's most recent start in which he went 4 1/3 innings while allowing one run against the Houston Astros.

The outing lowered Perez's season ERA to 3.04, the second lowest of any Braves starter, trailing only Chris Sale. He's allowed multiple runs in an outing just twice in his last six starts and four of his last 10 starts have been quality starts.

Martin Perez will be going on the IL with lower back inflammation
— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 24, 2026

LHP Martín Pérez has pitched to a 0.28 ERA across his last six home starts, the lowest mark by a Brave in such a span since earned runs became official in 1912.

Courtesy of @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/dwyRCT1EwU
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) September 10, 2026

Martin Perez is likely out until the NLCS

Bowman also reported that Perez wouldn't be able to come off the injured list until Game 3 of the NLDS, meaning that he likely won't be activated for that series.

That means the Braves will likely have to turn to Grant Holmes or a returning Bryce Elder as the third option behind Sale and Tyler Mahle if Atlanta were to advance past the first round.

It is an extremely tough blow to a staff that has struggled behind Sale and Mahle. The lack of starting depth behind those two may be the reason Atlanta fails to reach the NLCS for a fifth straight season.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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