BOSTON — White Sox starter Martin Perez left the team’s 10-3 loss to the Red Sox on Friday after three innings with soreness in his left forearm.
Any arm injury is concerning for a pitcher, but the severity of Perez’s injury hadn’t been determined. The Sox signed Perez to a one-year, $5 million contract in the offseason.
Perez allowed a season-high four runs and five hits with two walks. He didn’t strike out anyone in his shortest outing since May of last season.
The Sox (5-14) lost their fifth in a row and are 0-7 on the road, the worst road start in franchise history. They’re on a 10-game road trip, with stops in Minneapolis and Sacramento to follow.
Losing Perez would be a huge hit to the rotation, which had been a bright spot for the organization. He has a 3.15 ERA in four starts.
“I don’t want to push it,” Perez said. “The first rule is how you feel and [if] it can get better. If you have to take a couple of days off and come back again, we are going to see what it’s going to be. We’ll get everything tomorrow and move on.”
Perez said he was too tight with his changeup and cutter. He said he didn’t feel anything in his arm until the third, when some fatigue set in.
“We need Martin,” manager Will Venable said. “We need the things he does on the mound, the things that he does in the clubhouse. Not going to speculate on where he’s at. We’ll get him scanned and treated tomorrow, and hopefully it’s good news.”
The Red Sox took control in the first inning with Rafael Devers’ ground-rule double, Alex Bregman’s walk and Trevor Story’s three-run homer.
Story did more damage in the seventh after left-hander Tyler Gilbert walked Devers and Bregman, mashing a three-run shot to left field for his 20th career multihomer game.
The Red Sox’ offense stood in stark contrast to the White Sox’ tepid attack. But attention turned to Perez after the team’s public relations staff announced his injury.
“It’s pretty hard for us because he’s one of the guys, he’s on top and he helps us a lot,” said catcher Edgar Quero, who got his first career hit on a ninth-inning double. “I hope he comes back fast.”
Perez impacted the locker room with his knowledge and approachable demeanor. He imbued a young rotation with confidence and bravado, regularly -talking up a team that many project to lose 100 games.
After right-hander Sean Burke had a rough start April 9 against the Guardians — allowing three runs and three hits and walking four — Perez was at Burke’s locker the next day, demonstrating and talking him through his performance.
“This is the guy [that] when we’re talking about opportunities for leadership, he’s the guy that is embracing those moments,” -Venable said.
The Sox are in a stretch of 26 games in 27 days, and they don’t have much starting-pitching depth. Reliever Bryse Wilson has experience in the role, having started 16 games with the Braves and Pirates in 2021 and 20 games with the Pirates in ’22.
The Sox could call up a pitcher for this strenuous stretch, but no player can replicate Perez’s presence in the clubhouse.