Martin Perez Stepping Up as Texas Rangers Ace for Jacob deGrom

Martín Pérez isn’t going to take ace Jacob deGrom’s spot in the Texas Rangers rotation, but he’s more than capable of doing something else.

He can be that ace.

It’s a role Pérez knows well. Easily the most effective and efficient pitcher on last season’s staff, the left-hander can take the ball every five days with the intent to win.

He did it before … and he’s doing it again. Pérez improved to 4-1 in Sunday’s 15-2 demolition of the New York Yankees.

And with deGrom out for at least a couple of weeks on the injured list, Pérez understands that the rest of the starters and deGrom’s replacement in the rotation need to keep piling up quality outings.

Nathan Eovaldi, Andrew Heaney and Jon Gray have all been solid as well. No Texas starter has a losing record and only Heaney has an ERA above 4.00.

“We need him,” Pérez said of deGrom, who’s frustrated by his IL stint. “It’s not a secret, but I think we have his back and just have to come in and try to do our job. At some point he’s going to be back and do his job, too.”

The Rangers (17-11) went into Monday leading the American League West by two games over the Houston Astros. Texas, which took three of four games against the Yankees, opens a two-game series Tuesday night at Globe Life Field against the Arizona Diamondbacks with Gray (1-1, 3.91) on the mound.

Pérez, the club leader in wins, turned in another quality start against New York, going six innings and allowing one run on six hits and a walk. He struck out two on 70 pitches, 46 for strikes, and exited since the game was in hand and Rangers at-bats went so long.

“He did a nice job pitching in traffic,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “He made some pitches when he had to.”

It’s just another a line of solid performances for Pérez. He’s gone at least five innings and allowed three-or-fewer runs in all six starts, becoming the first Texas pitcher to log at least six such starts to open the season since Lance Lynn had seven in row in 2020.

“As a starter, we come in here and go deep in games,” said Pérez, who went 12-8 last year and earned an All-Star selection. “We want to save the bullpen, too. That’s a big thing for us.”

The Rangers are 4-2 in Pérez games, with one of the losses being a blown save to the Cincinnati Reds. His 2.41 ERA is the best among Texas starters (deGrom is 2.67).

While Pérez doesn’t have deGrom’s dominating repertoire and explosive fastball – or two Cy Young Awards – the Venezuelan southpaw has grown as a pitcher and team leader.

Pérez is not deGrom. No one expects him to be. But the Rangers are confident they can get a win every time Pérez goes to the hill.

That’s an ace.

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