Martín Pérez Declines White Sox Mutual Option, Returns to Free Agency

Martín Pérez has declined his mutual option with the White Sox and is seeking free agency after an injury-plagued season.

Left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez has declined his $10 million mutual option with the Chicago White Sox for 2026, the team announced Monday, opting instead to take a $1.5 million buyout and test the free agent market.

Pérez signed with the White Sox in January 2025 on a $5 million guaranteed deal that included a $3.5 million salary plus the mutual option buyout. His tenure with Chicago got off to a rocky start when elbow issues landed him on the injured list after just four appearances.

The Venezuelan southpaw didn’t return to action until August, finishing the season with a 3.54 ERA across 56 innings. While his numbers weren’t spectacular, Pérez at least concluded the campaign healthy.

Story continues below.

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Surprising Decision

The opt-out comes as something of a surprise, given Pérez’s age and limited 2025 production. At 35 in April, and coming off a season where he pitched fewer than 60 innings, his market value figures to be diminished compared to last offseason.

The decision suggests Pérez may have anticipated the White Sox declining their end of the mutual option, prompting him to proactively walk away rather than face potential rejection from the organization.

White Sox Rotation Questions

Pérez’s departure leaves the White Sox with some questions in their starting rotation. The organization currently projects to field a largely inexperienced group of starters, with Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Sean Burke, Yoendrys Gómez, and Jonathan Cannon among the top internal candidates. Grant Taylor, who spent the year in the bullpen, could also potentially be moved back into a starting role.

Potential Reunion?

While both parties will explore other options, the door remains open for a potential reunion between Pérez and the White Sox. The veteran left-hander could provide valuable experience to Chicago’s young rotation, while the White Sox offer a familiar environment where Pérez could compete for a rotation spot.

Market Outlook

Despite the injury concerns and limited 2025 sample size, Pérez should find interest as a veteran back-end starter or long reliever. His career track record includes over 1,600 major league innings and experience in high-leverage situations.