The Athletics traded Perez to the White Sox for minor-league left-hander Jackson Nove on Saturday.
The A's thought enough of Perez to add him to the 40-man roster last November, but he lost that spot when he was DFA'd on Thursday. The 24-year-old struggled with Triple-A Las Vegas before Saturday's trade, slashing .210/.273/.384 with five home runs, 19 RBI, 23 runs, four stolen bases and a 33.1 percent strikeout rate over 36 games. Perez hit 26 long balls in the minors in 2025 and stole 41 bases in 2023, so he has an intriguing skill set. However, he may need to cut down on the strikeouts to get much of a look in the majors.
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Athletics' Junior Perez: Booted from 40-man roster
Rotowire
The Athletics designated Perez for assignment Thursday.
Perez is a toolsy outfielder with swing-and-miss issues, having logged a .657 OPS with five homers, four steals and a 33.1 percent strikeout rate this season at Triple-A Las Vegas. The 24-year-old slashed .231/.348/.473 with 26 home runs and 27 stolen bases between Double-A Midland and Las Vegas in 2025 while sporting a 14.8 percent walk rate and 28.1 percent strikeout rate. There should be interest in Perez via waivers.
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Athletics' Junior Perez: Dispatched to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Athletics optioned Perez to Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday.
Perez won't break camp with the Athletics but he should have a good chance at making his MLB debut at some point in 2026 after he was added to the 40-man roster in November following a breakout 2025 campaign. Between stops at Las Vegas and Double-A Midland last season, Perez smacked 26 home runs and stole 27 bases while slashing a collective .231/.348/.473 across 587 plate appearances.
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Athletics' Junior Perez: On fire at Triple-A
Rotowire
Perez is slashing .306/.443/.729 with 10 home runs and eight steals in 24 games since getting promoted from Double-A Midland to Triple-A Las Vegas on Aug. 1.
Perez, who has primarily played center field this season, was a notable international signee by the Padres in 2018 and was dealt as a player to be named later in the June 2020 trade that sent Jorge Mateo from Oakland to San Diego. Perez turned 24 in July and has struggled with strikeouts in the past, but his 75 percent contact rate and 9.3 percent swinging-strike rate at Triple-A are solid enough marks, and pitchers are clearly worried about him (19.8 BB%). He will need to be added to the 40-man roster this offseason if the Athletics want to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
