Pérez signed with the Atlanta Braves as an amateur free agent in 2009. The Braves added him to the team's 40-man roster on November 19, 2014. He was promoted to the major leagues on May 6, 2015. Pérez debuted two days later, yielding two walks, two hits and four runs, while recording one out against the Washington Nationals. He was then added to the starting rotation and made his first start, a no decision against the Tampa Bay Rays, on May 20, 2015. Pérez made a total of 14 starts in his rookie season. In his first eight starts, he recorded a 2.27 ERA, then was placed on the disabled list in July with a bruised left foot. Upon his return to the active roster, Pérez made six more starts, in which his ERA was 9.87, before being demoted to AAA Gwinnett on August 29. Pérez opened the 2016 season in the Braves starting rotation and made three appearances before he was optioned to Gwinnett on April 20. He was recalled on May 11, and earned the win in that night's game against the Philadelphia Phillies. While facing the San Diego Padres on June 6, Pérez pitched five innings and left the game with an injury. Two days later, he was diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain and was placed on the disabled list. He was reactivated on September 6 to start against the Washington Nationals. After losing to the Nationals, Pérez was removed from his next start against the New York Mets in the midst of the third inning. The Braves released Pérez after the 2016 season.
On June 5, 2018, Perez signed a minor league deal with the Seattle Mariners. He elected free agency on November 2, 2018.
St. Louis Cardinals
On November 12, 2018, Perez signed a minor league deal with the St. Louis Cardinals. Perez elected free agency after the season on November 4, 2019.
Scouting report
Pérez primarily throws three pitches: a sinker, curveball, and changeup. All three offerings have a tendency to sink. Despite this, during his first season, Pérez gave up more fly balls on the latter two pitches than other pitchers did. During his minor league career, however, Pérez was known as a ground ball pitcher. Perez has continued to be a ground-ball pitcher at the major-league level, posting a ground-ball rate of 50.9% in 2015, compared to a league-average rate of 45.3%.
Personal life
On February 9, 2018, Pérez was arrested in Venezuela after he shot and killed Cesar Quintero, his 52-year old coach. The shooting was accidental and police ruled out foul play.
