Biography

BIOGRAPHY

Cionel Félix Pérez Viera was born on April 21, 1996, in La Habana, Cuba. He is a pitcher in the MLB.

Pérez played two seasons for Matanzas of the Cuban National Series. In September 2016, he signed a deal worth $5.15 million with the Houston Astros as an international free agent. The contract was voided in October due an issue in his physical. In December, he agreed to a new deal with the Astros worth 2 million.

Pérez made his professional debut with the Quad Cities River Bandits in 2017. He was later that season promoted to the Buies Creek Astros and Corpus Christi Hooks. In 21 total games (16 starts) between the three clubs, he posted a 6-4 record and 4.13 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. The Astros added him to their 40-man roster after the season. Perez made his Major League debut on July 11, 2018.

On January 23, 2021, the Astros traded Pérez to the Cincinnati Reds for Luke Berryhill.

The Baltimore Orioles claimed Pérez off waivers on November 24, 2021.

On June 12, 2022, Pérez recorded his first career save in a 10-7 win over the Kansas City Royals. Pérez made 66 appearances for Baltimore in 2022, pitching to a stellar 7-1 record and 1.40 ERA with 55 strikeouts in 57.2 innings pitched.