Cionel Pérez is a Cuban left-handed reliever from Matanzas who has been a part of Major League Baseball since his debut on July 11, 2018. Now 30 years old and pitching for the New York Mets, Pérez carries a 4.97 ERA across 41.2 innings in 2026 — with 41 strikeouts — as the club leans on his left arm in a bullpen built for a postseason run.
Quick Facts
- Full name: Cionel Pérez
- Position: Relief Pitcher
- Team: New York Mets
- Number: 52
- Bats / Throws: Right / Left
- Height / Weight: 6’0″ / 174 lb
- Born: April 21, 1996 — Matanzas, Cuba 🇨🇺
- MLB Debut: July 11, 2018
Background
Like many Cuban-born players before him, Pérez made his way to the big leagues carrying the kind of arm that scouts never stop chasing: a lefty who can work multiple innings, handle both sides of the plate, and keep the WHIP in check when he’s on. He broke into MLB on July 11, 2018, and has spent his career bouncing through competitive bullpens looking for a home where he can settle in and deliver.
2026 Season
Pérez split the early part of 2026 between the Washington Nationals and the Mets, and the contrast in his numbers tells a clear story. In Washington, he struggled — a 6.19 ERA over 16 innings with a 1.69 WHIP. But after joining New York, things clicked. With the Mets, he’s gone 2-0 with a 4.21 ERA, 32 strikeouts, and a tighter 1.29 WHIP in 25.2 innings. The change of scenery appears to have done him real good.
2026 Stats Breakdown
- Overall 2026: 4-3, 4.97 ERA, 41 K, 1.44 WHIP, 41.2 IP
- With the Mets: 2-0, 4.21 ERA, 32 K, 1.29 WHIP, 25.2 IP
- With the Nationals: 2-3, 6.19 ERA, 9 K, 1.69 WHIP, 16.0 IP
What Makes Him Valuable
Pérez doesn’t have All-Star appearances or Gold Gloves on his résumé — and he doesn’t need them. His value is measured in innings eaten, leads protected, and the simple fact that a left-handed arm who can face anyone in the lineup is always going to have a place on a roster. At 30, he’s squarely in his competitive prime, and the Mets are counting on exactly that.
Bigger Picture
Pérez is part of a long and proud tradition of Cuban pitchers who have enriched Major League Baseball. His journey from Matanzas to a Mets bullpen with playoff aspirations is a reminder that scouts never stop looking for that reliable lefty who can change the course of a game — and Pérez has spent his career proving he can be that guy.
