Marlins roster moves: Seth Martinez claimed; Eury Pérez to IL

The title of "oldest active Miami Marlins player" has changed hands again. Right-hander reliever Seth Martinez, who turns 31 in August, was claimed by the Fish on Thursday. Eury Pérez (Tommy John surgery rehab) was placed on the 60-day injured list to make room for Martinez on the 40-man roster.

Martinez had been designated for assignment by the Arizona Diamondbacks earlier in the week, but all of his prior major league experience came as a member of the Houston Astros. He has posted a 3.93 ERA, 4.24 FIP and .240 BAA in 111 MLB appearances (all in relief). He pitched especially well in 2022 (2.09 ERA, 3.32 FIP and .187 BAA in 38.2 IP) and won a World Series ring for his efforts, though the Astros didn't use him in the postseason during that year or any other.

After striking out 23.5% of opposing batters from 2021-2023 (approximately league average for a reliever), Martinez's K% plummeted to 16.2% in 2024. His sweeper wasn't generating whiffs as often as it previously did in two-strike counts—I imagine that the Marlins will be focused on finding a fix for that.

Like Ronny Henriquez earlier this month, Martinez has used up all of his minor league options. Barring injuries or catastrophic spring training performances, expect to see both of them on the Marlins Opening Day roster. Martinez is still pre-arbitration eligible and under club control through the 2028 season.

As for Pérez, his placement on the 60-day IL was inevitable. It officially prevents him returning to the majors before May 26, but he isn't going to be ready until July anyway. By all accounts, his rehab from last April's TJ surgery has gone smoothly thus far.