On January 28, 1976, the as an amateur free agent out of the Dominican. He played two years for the Pirates (1980-81) before being traded to the Atlanta Braves for pitcher Larry McWilliams. Perez had a 2-8, 3.94 record in 98.1 innings with the Pirates and a career 67-68, 3.44 record in 11 Major League seasons.