Kansas City Royals star Salvador Perez leaves game vs. Reds with hand injury: details
The Kansas City Royals have dealt with a series of injuries this season. They absorbed another blow Wednesday night, when star catcher and team captain Salvador Perez exited with a left-hand contusion.
Perez, who was hit by a pitch in the third inning, is considered day-to-day.
“It was a negative X-ray,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said after the game. “Day-to-day. We got pretty lucky.”
Cincinnati Reds starter Ben Lively delivered the fateful pitch. The injury occurred on an 88.8 mph cutter that ran in near Perez’s hands. Perez immediately winced in pain and members of the Royals’ training staff came out of the dugout to tend to him near home plate.
After several moments, Perez headed into the clubhouse for further evaluation. The Royals sent in Maikel Garcia to take Perez’s place as their designated hitter.
“He said right away, ‘I’ve got to come out. It got me,’” Quatraro said. “It squared him up good.”
The Royals have an off-day Thursday. Perez will continue to be evaluated ahead of Friday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels at Kauffman Stadium.
Perez leads the Royals in multiple categories. He is hitting .274 with 66 hits, 14 home runs and 37 RBIs. He also ranks third among all American League catchers in ongoing All-Star voting.
Earlier, the Royals announced that first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino will miss the remainder of the season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Pasaquantino is slated to undergo surgery after initially being placed on the 10-day injured list.
“We’ve got to think of the positives,” Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. said. “Luckily, Sal is kind of good and with Vinnie, it’s just another tough thing. We’ve got to keep moving forward and bring it to the field each and every day.”
The Royals dropped their ninth consecutive game on Wednesday. KC is now 18-50 and owns the worst record in the major leagues.
This story was originally published June 14, 2023 at 9:34 PM.
