Chicago White Sox left-hander Martin Pérez has a flexor tendon strain that won't require reconstructive Tommy John surgery but will sideline him for an indefinite amount of time.
A source told ESPN's Jesse Rogers that Pérez is likely out for the year but could return in September. White Sox manager Will Venable said Tuesday that the team expects Pérez back this season.
"He's continuing to get evaluated," Venable said. "We're going to treat him and expect him to pitch later on in the summer."
Pérez, 34, worked three innings in a 10-3 loss to the Red Sox on April 18 before leaving with the injury. He took the loss, giving up four runs and five hits, and was placed on the 15-day IL the next day. He was moved to the 60-day IL on Monday.
Pérez is 1-1 with a 3.15 ERA in four starts for Chicago. He signed a one-year, $5 million contract to be part of a young rotation that includes rookies Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon, Davis Martin and Shane Smith.
An All-Star in 2022, Pérez is 91-88 with a 4.43 ERA in 273 starts and 45 relief appearances over 14 major league seasons with Texas (2012-18, 2022-23), Minnesota (2019), Boston (2020-21), Pittsburgh (2024) and San Diego (2024).
Venable said catcher Korey Lee, who is on the 10-day IL with a sprained left ankle, is continuing to progress and imaging has shown swelling in the ankle is gone. Venable said Lee isn't ready for a minor league injury rehabilitation assignment.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.