Salvador Perez Activated By Royals

Just two weeks after Salvador Perez signed a long-term deal with the Kansas City Royals as a young centerpiece for their team, he suffered a left-meniscus tear — and not even in a game, just from warming a pitcher up in the bullpen.

Earlier this month, Perez’s knee had improved enough to send him on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha. Friday, he will make his 2012 debut with the Royals:

#Royals announce that C Salvador Perez will be returned from his rehab assignment & reinstated from the 60-day D.L. for tonight’s game.

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) June 22, 2012

Perez hit .340/.365/.380 in 12 rehab games. He was the DH four times and caught eight games, which was enough for the Royals to return him to the major leagues.

The Royals’ 40-man roster is currently full, so they’ll have to make a move off that roster as well as make a 25-man roster move to activate Perez. The most likely 40-man roster move would be to place Felipe Paulino, who was diagnosed with a torn UCL, on the 60-day disabled list.

Kansas City has had many injuries this season, but they begin Friday just 4½ games out of first place. The return of Perez should help.

For more on the Royals, please visit Royals Review and SB Nation Kansas City.

Salvador Perez Scheduled For Rehab Assignment

The Royals’ 21-year-old catcher, Salvador Perez, was so valuable to the team’s future that they locked him up with a five-year contract (with options that could carry through 2019) before spring training began.

Then Perez tore a meniscus in his left knee while warming up a pitcher in the bullpen before his first spring-training game even began.

You can’t make this stuff up.

At the time it was projected that Perez would be out 12 to 14 weeks. Well, here we are just about 12 weeks later, and…

#Royals say C Salvy Perez will begin minor-league rehab assignment Thursday at Class AAA Omaha.

— Bob Dutton (@Royals_Report) June 6, 2012

This would be very good news for the Royals; they could use Perez’s bat, as they are second-to-last in the AL in runs scored, and as they are lurking just 6½ games out of first place in the AL Central, maybe they have some designs at making a run for the top.

Or not. It’s the Royals, after all. But with Perez back soon, maybe they can dream.

For more on the Royals, please visit Royals Review and SB Nation Kansas City.

Salvador Perez Injury: Royals' Catcher Out For 3-4 Months

We knew Salvador Perez was going to miss some time after suffering a knee injury that required surgery. We didn't know how much time. Now we know, approximately. And it's not good for the Royals. Obviously.

Royals C Salvador Perez underwent surgery today on his left knee to repair a torn meniscus; will likely need 12-14 weeks to fully recover.

— MLB (@MLB) March 16, 2012

There's some optimism about the Royals in 2012. Misguided optimism, in this writer's opinion. But it's been out there, and must now be somewhat tempered, considering that Perez was considered one of the club's strengths.

Somehow, "12-14 weeks" doesn't sound as bad as its analogue: three to four months.

Which perhaps doesn't seem like a real problem if you take the long view, which suggests the Royals weren't going to win this year anyway. But speaking of the long view, Perez already projected as one of the slowest players in the majors leagues in both the short and the long view. And a knee surgery at 21 isn't likely to make him faster.

Perez's long-term contract still looks pretty good. Just not quite as good as it looked a week ago.

Salvador Perez To Undergo Knee Surgery

Salvador Perez came up for the Royals. He batted .331. He was 21 years old. The Royals signed him to a five-year contract that could become an eight-year contract. Things were good for Salvador Perez and the Royals, very recently.

Things are worse now. Tuesday, Perez injured his left knee catching warm-ups. He was sent to Kansas City for close inspection, and the inspection turned up some worrisome results.

Royals announce catcher Salvador Perez suffered a left lateral meniscus tear in the knee that will require surgery

— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) March 14, 2012

No timetable on Perez's return has been announced.Surgery expected in next few days.

— Joel Goldberg (@goldbergkc) March 14, 2012

As noted, there's no timetable, as the medical team still needs to examine the area and determine the severity of the tear. This doesn't look like a season-ender, but you can count on Perez to miss a good chunk of time. Brayan Pena will presumably shoulder the load for now. The other catcher on the 40-man roster - Manny Pina - is recovering from surgery. Cody Clark, Max Ramirez, and Julio Rodriguez are in Royals camp as non-roster invitees.

Perez should make a good recovery from this injury. The Royals probably weren't going to make the playoffs. In the big picture, this injury isn't real significant. What's troubling is that Perez is now a young catcher with a knee injury history. Knee injuries can turn promising catchers into less-promising not-catchers. Hopefully this is just a one-time issue, and Perez can go on to flourish, with knees like robot knees instead of knees that ... are ... robot knees ... hopefully Perez is healthy in the future.

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