All-Star Kansas City Royals Catcher Salvador Perez Shares Update on Injury Status
Salvador Perez may have been diagnosed with a Grade 1 groin strain on Monday, but the Kansas City Royals catcher is dead set on returning to the lineup Tuesday.
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 groin strain, knocking him out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Chicago White Sox.
The Royals revealed Sunday that Perez was dealing with a left groin and hip injury, just after he left the team's game against the New York Mets in the bottom of the fifth. Team broadcaster Joel Goldberg was first to report the latest update after speaking with Perez late Monday afternoon.
Although Perez said there isn't any pain, he did admit he was feeling a little tightness. Perez tried to bargain with manager Matt Quatraro after the results of the MRI came out, making a push to stay in the lineup regardless, but his efforts were ultimately fruitless.
Perez hopes to return to action Tuesday.
Perez confirmed the report in his own words on X, the social media platform formally known as Twitter. In response to an irritated fan who traveled all the way from Puerto Rico to Chicago in hopes of seeing the catcher suit up, Perez said "Im back tomorrow ok."
Quatraro later told reporters that Perez got full treatment Monday. He has been labeled day-to-day and is not expected to spend any time on the injured list.
Perez had yet to miss a game in 2024, prior to suffering this groin injury. Through 16 games, the 33-year-old was batting .339 with four home runs, 15 RBI, a .934 OPS and a 0.5 WAR.
The eight-time All-Star notched his 250th career home run Saturday. He is a .268 hitter for his career, boasting a .761 OPS and 33.1 WAR since making his MLB debut in 2011.
Without Perez, the Royals will turn to Freddy Fermin behind the dish. Fermin will call Monday's game for Seth Lugo, who is 2-0 with a 1.45 ERA so far this season.
Should he return as planned on Tuesday, Perez will catch for right-hander Brady Singer, who is 2-0 with an 0.98 ERA this year.
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