KANSAS CITY-- One could hardly blame Royals All-Star catcher Salvador Perez if he were a bit frustrated.

Perez missed all of 2019 because of Tommy John surgery, but he bounced back with a solid Spring Training. Perez then missed the first portion of Summer Camp after contracting COVID-19.

Then, just a few weeks into the 60-game sprint this season, Perez was placed on the injured list on Aug. 21 because of a mysterious fluid particle that appeared in his left eye, affecting his vision.

Finally, Perez is back, but he isn’t bitter -- just all smiles. Perez was activated prior to Friday’s 4-3 win over the Pirates, and he recorded two hits in his return. Catcher Meibrys Viloria was optioned back to the alternate training site.

“I am so happy to be back,” Perez said, grinning ear to ear and flexing his biceps. “I’m ready. I feel a lot better. ... Whatever happened in the past is over. You concentrate on the future and be positive. Have fun again.”

Perez had his last appointment with an eye specialist on Wednesday, and he was told that 70 percent of the fluid was gone.

“I feel like I can go,” he said. “It’s not all gone, but it will be. When it goes away I hope it never comes back.”

Perez spent the past week at the alternate training site, catching and taking batting practice. He said his vision is good enough to compete. And that’s a welcome sign for the Royals, though backup Cam Gallagher performed well in Perez’s absence.

Manager Mike Matheny said Perez’s presence always provides a spark.

“You always know when he’s not there, because it’s so obvious when he is there,” Matheny said. “He’s always in conversations and he’s pushing guys. That’s unique for a player that accomplished.”

Carlos Hernández and Carlos Zambrano
Royals rookie Carlos Hernández will make his first big league start on Saturday night against the Pirates. He got the news on Wednesday from Matheny.

“Really happy,” Hernández said through interpreter Luis Perez. “I was kind of expecting it at some point. Want to get started and do a good job. ... For all the labor and the work I put in, it is paying off. It’s all I wanted to do.

Hernández, 23, is the Royals’ No. 12 prospect, per MLB Pipeline. He grew up following and looking up to fellow Venezuelan Carlos Zambrano, the former pitcher for the Cubs and Marlins.

“I grew up watching him and admired him,” Hernández said. “He didn’t care about the results. He just wanted to make the best pitch he could possibly make every time.”