Report: Perez accepts Rangers' $19.65M qualifying offer

Free-agent left-hander Martin Perez accepted the Texas Rangers' $19.65-million qualifying offer before Tuesday's deadline, a source told Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

By accepting the offer, which would've given Texas draft-pick compensation if he signed elsewhere, Perez returns to the Rangers on a one-year contract. He's now ineligible to receive a qualifying offer in the future, as players can only receive one in their careers.

Perez enjoyed a surprising renaissance season after joining the Rangers on a one-year, $4-million deal during spring training. The 31-year-old became a first-time All-Star while posting career-best numbers across the board and led Rangers pitchers in wins (12), ERA (2.69), and strikeouts (169). He also threw a shutout, his first since 2014, and allowed just 11 homers in 196 1/3 innings.

Texas chose to tender the qualifying offer to Perez after extension talks didn't result in a deal. The team had offered him a two-year contract with a club option, a source told Jeff Wilson of Rangers Today last week.

Perez should slot in at the back of a Texas rotation that might look very different by Opening Day. The Rangers have already traded for right-hander Jake Odorizzi and are reportedly part of the sweepstakes for free-agent Japanese star Kodai Senga. Two-time NL Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom is also said to have interest in potentially signing with the club.

Perez, who's also pitched for the Minnesota Twins and Boston Red Sox, originally broke in with the Rangers in 2012. He owns a lifetime 75-77 record with a 4.43 ERA.