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Salvy says he's fine after taking pitch to head

PEORIA, Ariz. -- Royals catcher Salvador Perez was taken out of Wednesday's game against the Padres after being struck in the head by a pitch, but afterward said he was all right.

Head athletic trainer Nick Kenney reported that it was a "non-concussive head impact" and that no tests were planned for Perez.

"I'm really fine," Perez said through a team spokesman.

Perez was struck behind the left ear by a 2-1 pitch, a breaking ball, by Padres pitcher Johnny Barbato in the third inning. After going down into the dirt, Perez got up and left the field under his own power, rubbing his head next to the ear. He went into the dugout to be checked by team trainers.

Then, after the top of the fourth, Perez emerged from the dugout pulling his equipment bag and waving and smiling to the crowd as he made his way down the right-field line toward the clubhouse.

"He's doing fine," Royals pitcher James Shields said. "It just kind of rung his ears a little bit, but he's doing pretty good. Any time you get hit in the head, it's scary, but he's fine."

Perez was replaced by Minor League catcher Jesus Flores.

Last season, Perez spent a week on the disabled list after sustaining a concussion when a foul ball struck his mask and jarred him in a game against the Mets at Citi Field.

"It's always scary, but it's even more scary when it's Sal and you know his history," manager Ned Yost said. "It was a slower-type breaking ball, it wasn't a fastball. He was fine."

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