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Royals manager explains Salvador Perez decision for Yankees game
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The Kansas City Royals will play the New York Yankees on Saturday afternoon. The Royals were defeated by the Yankees on Friday, losing by a final score of 4-2. Kansas City is hoping to bounce back on Saturday. Salvador Perez and Carter Jensen have often split time at catcher and designated hitter this year, but Perez is not in Saturday’s lineup. Royals manager Matt Quatraro explained the decision ahead of the game, via Anne Rogers of MLB.com.
“Just looking at the way things have gone, he’s (Perez) played in every game,” Quatraro said. “Day game after night game, Carter was going to catch today, and Salvy’s been struggling a little bit. Just try to give him a little mental breather.”
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Perez is one of the greatest Royals of all-time. He has struggled to begin the 2026 campaign, though.
The 35-year-old veteran is hitting just .160/.210/.307 across 81 plate appearances. As Quatraro mentioned, Perez has played in all 20 of Kansas City’s games so far this season as well. Giving him a day off on Saturday certainly makes sense.
If the game ends up being close in the late innings, though, Perez could potentially receive a pinch-hit opportunity. Quatraro would likely prefer to give him a full day off, but the Royals also need to win games.
The ball club is just 7-13 and tied with the Chicago White Sox for last place in the American League Central division heading into Saturday afternoon’s contest. The Royals are hoping to turn things around sooner rather than later.
First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 PM EST.
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