The Kansas City Royals are off to an unfortunate start, hampered by injuries to several starting pitchers and a 17–20 record. Ace pitcher Cole Ragans exited his Wednesday start with left triceps and elbow soreness, adding to the team’s concerns.
The Royals then fell 3–1 to the Cleveland Guardians in a game that proved difficult across the board. Catcher Salvador Perez, who has served as designated hitter for the past five games, went 0-for-2 with one RBI and two strikeouts.
Perez has struggled throughout the season and has been dealing with a sore hip for weeks, prompting the positional shift to ease his physical toll.
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The 35-year-old right-handed slugger has struggled in the Royals’ lineup this season, showing signs of decline.
In 36 games, Perez is batting .206 with a .245 on-base percentage and a .593 OPS, along with five home runs and 17 RBIs, well below his prime production. His numbers have trended downward over the past two seasons. Dealing with a sore hip, Perez may remain at designated hitter.
According to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star, manager Matt Quatraro said he does not expect Perez to catch this weekend and added the team plans to proceed cautiously while monitoring him daily.
The Royals are taking a cautious approach with Perez, aiming to avoid further injury as he manages a sore hip. In his absence behind the plate, the team will rely on rookie catcher Carter Jensen for depth.
Perez has been a cornerstone of the franchise across his 15-year career, earning nine All-Star selections, five Gold Gloves, five Silver Slugger Awards, and a World Series MVP. He played a key role in the Royals’ 2015 championship run.
Last season, he signed a two-year, $25 million contract extension, reinforcing his value as a veteran leader and mentor to younger players.
