Perez out of Royals' lineup with elbow soreness; Maile called up

KANSAS CITY – The Royals made another roster move Thursday to help manage an injury, with catcher Salvador Perez dealing with left elbow soreness and out of the lineup for the series finale against the Rays at Kauffman Stadium.

Catcher Luke Maile was selected to the 40-man roster and called up from Triple-A Omaha, offering a reinforcement behind the plate if something were to happen to Carter Jensen and the Royals needed another catcher during the game.

In corresponding moves, outfielder John Rave was optioned to Triple-A Omaha, and reliever Eric Cerantola was designated for assignment to create room on the 40-man for Maile. The Royals also activated Stephen Kolek from the family medical emergency list to make Thursday’s start against the Rays and optioned reliever Jose Cuas to Omaha.

“Salvy came in yesterday with a little bit of a sore elbow,” manager Matt Quatraro said. “He was already playing first [base] yesterday, so he was able to manage that. And then today, we had to have some protection in case he’s unable to catch.”

Quatraro didn’t have more information on the severity of Perez’s elbow. The Royals have a scheduled off-day on Friday (due to the World Cup match across the parking lot at the Truman Sports Complex) before returning to The K on Saturday night to play the Phillies. Perez will likely be evaluated further then to determine the next steps.

“Right now, we’re trying to gather more information as to what’s going on,” Quatraro said. “He came in yesterday a little sore. Thought it would loosen up during the day, and it didn’t. … Definitely have some level of concern.”

Add this to the growing list of injuries the Royals are dealing with right now – and one they hope doesn’t turn into something more severe for their captain. Kansas City already has 11 players on the IL, including hitters Vinnie Pasquantino (right hamate bone fracture), Maikel Garcia (left hand muscle strain) and Kyle Isbel (left plantar fasciitis). Pasquantino and Isbel are both expected to begin a rehab assignment next week, but Garcia has still not started to swing again as he lets his hand heal.

The Royals revealed Thursday that starter Cole Ragans underwent a UCL repair on his left elbow, an operation that will have him sidelined until midseason next year. Starter Kris Bubic is also still on the 60-day IL and working through another shoulder setback. He received a cortisone injection on Thursday and will be shut down for the next seven to 10 days, but his timeline for a return is still to be determined based on how he feels when he starts to ramp up again.

With Perez unable to catch right now, Jensen will receive the majority of playing time behind the plate. The Royals brought back Maile this spring on a Minor League deal after he appeared in 25 games with them in 2025, handling third-string catcher duties admirably and turning into a clubhouse favorite. In 28 Triple-A games this season, he has a .202/.324/.303 slash line.