Kansas City Royals fans concerned as Salvador Perez forced from game with hand injury after hitting two homers: "Right when he gets hot. Of course"
Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez was forced to exit Tuesday night's game against the Baltimore Orioles after sustaining a left-finger contusion.
The injury occurred when Orioles right fielder Anthony Santander's follow-through hit Perez's hand twice during the game.
Salvador Perez left tonight's game with a left middle finger contusion. He is day-to-day.
Prior to his injury, Perez had been having his best game of the season, hitting home runs on back-to-back at-bats in the sixth and seventh innings and going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and three runs scored.
Despite initial concerns that Perez might have broken his finger, the news that he had only sustained a contusion was somewhat reassuring for Royals fans.
@Royals I'm glad it's not broken. Get well soon, Salvy. #Royals
@Royals Right when he gets hot. Of course
@Royals He doesn't deserve this. #royals
Perez has established himself as one of the top catchers in the league since his MLB debut with the Kansas City Royals in 2011, winning five Gold Glove Awards and being named to seven All-Star teams. He played a crucial role in the Royals' 2015 World Series championship, earning the World Series MVP title that year.
The possibility of losing their team leader for an extended period of time is particularly worrying for Royals fans in light of the team's disappointing season.
@Royals This szn couldn't get any worse?
@Royals Maybe if our dumbas manager didn't require him to be so close to the plate to help frame pitches for these mediocre pitchers, this wouldn't have happened AGAIN! I seriously feel like this is the Major League movie where the owner wants our team to do so badly so they can move!
@anne__rogers Dude gets abused all the time… For nothing…
Perez is known for his excellent defensive skills behind the plate and his ability to hit for power. He has hit over 20 home runs in six different seasons and has driven in over 70 RBI in seven different seasons, winning the Silver Slugger Award in 2016, 2018, and 2021. Despite his impressive record, Perez finished seventh in the American League Most Valuable Player race in 2021, a year in which he hit a major league-leading 48 homers and 121 RBI.
Many fans are hoping to see him traded to a contender, feeling that he deserves better than wasting away during yet another subpar season with the Kansas City Royals.
@Royals Trade him to a contender - fans will hate it but it’s the right move to make
Such a great player - he deserves to be in the playoffs one last time
@anne__rogers Absolutely idiotic they have him on the plate so he can supposedly frame pitches better...They just got his hand broken
@anne__rogers Just when he was getting into a groove.
@anne__rogers It is so sad that he hasn’t played in meaningful game since 2017. It would be so good for the sport for him to be on bigger stage.
Salvador Perez signed with Kansas City Royals through 2025, with team option for 2026
Perez's four-year, $82 million contract with the Royals runs through 2025. Kansas City also has a team option to retain him for the 2026 season.