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Salvy scratched from lineup with left leg bruise

All-Star catcher expected to return for series finale against Tigers

KANSAS CITY -- Catcher Salvador Perez wanted to play against the Tigers on Saturday night, but manager Ned Yost put on the brakes.

Perez left Friday night's 8-2 loss after seven innings with a bruised left leg after his own foul ball shot off his shin or calf. He was originally in Saturday's lineup but was scratched.

"It's real black and blue, but of course he lobbied to play today and tomorrow, but I'm like, no, let's be smart about this," Yost said before the game.

Yost said Perez would return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale against Detroit.

Perez bats with a guard on his left shin, but this foul hit above the protective device and got him more in the lower calf.

"He could play, but when it's stiff and it's sore, you just want to make sure you don't strain the calf," Yost said. "So, we'll let him get treatment on it all day today and let some of that inflammation get out of there."

Brett Hayes got his second start at catcher. Perez was available if needed but, if worse came to worse, who would be the emergency catcher? Yost nominated third baseman Mike Moustakas.

"Probably Moose, he caught in high school," Yost said. "We thought Danny [Valencia] might be able to do it, but it's like a near-death experience every time he goes out to warm up a pitcher between innings when Salvy's not ready, so we better re-evaluate that one."

Prior to Saturday's game, Perez was among three Royals to receive their 2013 Gold Glove Awards, along with teammates Eric Hosmer and Alex Gordon.

Dick Kaegel is a reporter for MLB.com.
Read More: Kansas City Royals, Salvador Perez