Braves place pitcher Martín Pérez on 15-day IL, sidelining him until NLDS

Martín Pérez was placed on the 15-day injured list with low back inflammation, the Braves announced on Thursday . Atlanta was able to backdate Pérez's IL stint to Sept. 21, which means he will be eligible to return on Oct. 6. Game 3 of the National League Division Series is scheduled for that date .

Pérez felt discomfort in his back during Sunday's 4-2 win over the Houston Astros , according to Braves manager Walt Weiss . The left-hander pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing 1 run and 6 hits with 2 strikeouts and 2 walks.

With a best-of-three format in the wild-card round, the Braves likely wouldn't have used Pérez as a starter. Perhaps he would have pitched in long relief. But Atlanta is expected to start Chris Sale and Tyler Mahle in the first two games of the wild-card series, with Grant Holmes getting the nod in Game 3, if necessary.