Royals place Jakob Junis on IL, scratch Salvador Perez from starting lineup
The Kansas City Royals scratched star catcher Salvador Perez from the starting lineup Sunday and placed right-handed pitcher Jakob Junis on the injured list shortly before their game against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field.
Perez came out of the lineup due to blurry vision in his left eye. He entered the day among the American League’s leaders in hits (third, 27), batting average (seventh, .314) and total bases (tied for seventh, 45). He had an 11-game hitting streak snapped in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader.
Junis, who was expected to pitch in Saturday’s first game, experienced back spasms and was unable to play. He last pitched on Aug. 7. Junis’ IL stint is retroactive to Aug 13.
The Royals recalled catcher Meibrys Viloria, who was traveling with the team as a member of KC’s taxi squad, to fill the roster spot vacated by Junis. Viloria, 23, started Sunday’s game behind the plate for right-hander Brady Singer. The batterymates worked together last season at the Double-A level.
Viloria played in 10 big-league games late in 2018 despite not having played above Single-A in the minors. He got a long look in the majors last summer after the club traded Martin Maldonado in July.
Viloria played in 42 games with the Royals last season. He posted a slash line of .211/.259/.286 in his first extended time in the majors. He also threw out 38.1 percent of baserunners and registered a 4.90 catcher’s ERA.
