PEORIA, Ariz. -- A familiar face was behind the plate for the Royals on Friday -- All-Star catcher Salvador Perez.
Perez played defensively for the first time since injuring his knee in a collision with Andrew Butera at home plate while playing for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic on March 11.
Perez caught six innings in the Royals' 4-3 loss to the Mariners.
"He looked like vintage Sal," Royals manager Ned Yost said. "He looked liked he always does."
Perez suffered inflammation in his left knee as well as a hyperextension in his right elbow.
Both injuries have healed, Perez said. "I felt good with both. Knee was good. No problems."
Now Perez will be in hurry-up mode to get his timing back at the plate before the regular season starts April 3.
"I need to get as many at-bats in as I can," Perez said. "When I'm not going to catch, I'll DH. That's the plan."
Jeffrey Flanagan