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.
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