‘We’re Going to Be Contenders’: Martin Pérez Backs Up Bold White Sox Claim

The White Sox starting rotation has started the 2025 season on a historic run. In 23 innings, White Sox starters have yet to allow an earned run through four games. 

Martin Peréz was the latest White Sox hurler to add to the streak on Monday, tossing six scoreless innings against the Minnesota Twins. Pérez is now one of just two MLB pitchers since 1901 to throw 6.0-plus hitless innings with nine-plus strikeouts during his debut with a new team. The only other pitcher to accomplish that feat was Hideo Nomo in 2001. 

The early success came as no surprise to Pérez, who was vocal about his belief in the roster in Spring Training, saying that he believes the roster has what it takes to compete. 

"People think we’re not contenders, but we’re going to be contenders," Pérez told CHSN’s Chuck Garfein. "We’re here for a reason. I know we don’t have a lot of names, superstars. What we’ve got is what we’ve got."

Following the White Sox dominant 9-0 victory over the Twins, the 33-year-old southpaw doubled down on his comments. 

“I know it’s too early, but we are thinking of something special late in September,” Pérez told reporters after the game. “Let’s see how everything is going.” 

Pérez wasn’t part of the White Sox for 121 games, nor did he contribute to the team’s league-worst -306 run differential. 

White Sox general manager Chris Getz tapped Pérez to be the veteran arm in the White Sox rotation. The 33-year-old southpaw agreed to a one-year deal worth $5 million. Perez knows what it takes to win a championship. In 13 MLB seasons, Perez owns a 4.44 ERA with a WAR of 14.5. He was given an All-Star nod in 2022 after finishing the season with a 2.89 ERA and then won a World Series ring in 2023 with the Texas Rangers. 

Pérez’s dominant White Sox debut was even more impressive given that none of his 93 pitches topped 90 mph, yet he still matched his career high in strikeouts. Of those 93 pitches, he threw 54 for strikes and generated 11 whiffs. 

The veteran relied heavily on his cutter, sinker and changeup to keep the Twins off balance despite issuing three walks. The team's no-hit bid was broken up in the seventh inning when Will Venable passed the baton to recent free-agent signing Mike Vasil, who was making his major league debut. While Vasil allowed a hit, Perez said that, given his pitch count, he didn’t think he could go another three innings to complete the no-hit bid. “I told them I feel great, but I was honest too,” Pérez told MLB.com. “There’s no way I can go three more innings with that kind of pitches. It’s too early and I think it’s a long season. So, we have to think in the future, not now.”