The Washington Nationals claimed left-handed pitcher Francisco Pérez off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians on Friday. Additionally, the Nationals outrighted right-handed pitcher Kyle McGowin to Triple-A Rochester. Nationals President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Mike Rizzo made the announcement.
Pérez, 24, went 4-0 with three saves and a 1.87 ERA in 30 games between Double-A Akron and Triple-A Columbus in 2021. He struck out 82 batters in 53.0 innings pitched while issuing 29 walks and allowing just two home runs along the way. A former starter, Pérez converted to the relief role in 2021 and tossed more than 1.0 inning of relief in 18 of his 30 outings. He pitched to a 0.63 ERA (3 ER/43.0 IP) and recorded 70 strikeouts in those 18 outings.
Pérez had his contract selected on Aug. 9 and made his Major League debut on Aug. 12 vs. Oakland. He posted a 4.05 ERA with five strikeouts and three walks in four Major League appearances in 2021.
A native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Pérez signed with Cleveland as a non-drafted free agent on Dec. 12, 2014. He is 25-18 with three saves and a 3.06 ERA in 104 games (66 starts) across six professional seasons.
McGowin, 29, recorded a 5.98 ERA in 48 games (2 starts) across four Major League seasons with the Nationals.
