KANSAS CITY -- Not since the pandemic-shortened 2020 season has Salvador Perez caught fewer games than he has this season, logging 34 games as catcher in that 60-game season and just 44 games caught so far this year.
An elbow injury has limited Perez behind the plate, especially in the second half. He’s been the Royals’ designated hitter, while Carter Jensen has taken over everyday catching duties with Luke Maile on backup duty.
The goal remains to get Perez a few innings behind the plate before the season ends, but more importantly, he just wants to finish the season strong and head into the offseason looking to get healthy for 2027.
“People know how much I love to catch,” Perez said. “[The elbow] is sore, and it needs time. … It happens to the greatest in this game. It’s hard at the moment, but I thank God for giving me a lot of great moments. Every time I run out on that field, I give everything I have. That makes me feel better.”
Perez wants to be able to catch next year, but he knows it could be a part-time role with more time at DH or first base. This is part of a career trajectory: The Royals' captain is 36 years old now, wrapping up his 15th big league season. His offensive numbers have dipped, with a .228/.273/.383 slash line -- all career lows right now -- and 19 homers.
Perez plans on giving everything he has until he stops playing. When that will be remains to be seen. Next year is the final year of Perez’s two-year contract he signed last offseason, but he’s not ready to make a decision yet on whether it’s the final year of his career -- and won’t feel ready until he sees how ‘27 plays out for him and for the Royals.
“I got one more year, and I haven’t talked to [general manager] J.J. [Picollo] about anything,” Perez said. “I think at this point, it has to be year by year. And I get it. It’s fair for Kansas City and fair for me. End of the day, it’s a business.
“Only thing I know is that I want to play as long as I can. Can be DH, can be first base, can be behind the plate. The thing that I know is that when I’m done, I’m not going to put that uniform on any more. So I want to play as long as I can. Keep preparing my body, keep preparing myself, and I don’t have any plan.”
It’s clear Perez is putting the finishing touches on what could be a Hall of Fame career. He became the Royals’ all-time leader in home runs this season and, at 322 career homers, is three shy of surpassing Gary Carter and Lance Parrish (324) for fifth most all-time among primary catchers.
Perez is more motivated than ever to get Kansas City back into playoff contention next year –- not just for himself, but for the organization and for his teammates.
“That’s one of the goals,” Perez said. “I want it for the young guys. They deserve it. [Bobby Witt] Junior deserves it, the way he prepares himself to play every day. I want it for the city, for the organization, for me, for Junior.”
That will require a turnaround from 2026. Underperformance early and injuries throughout the summer have led to a 65-82 record. The Royals have to overhaul their pitching staff this offseason because of injuries, and they need offensive improvements, many of which must come internally with core players returning.
“It’s been a lot of ups and downs,” Perez said. “It was a challenge for us and for [manager Matt Quatraro]. Nothing he can do about that. We’re the guys that are playing. Best thing that can happen for us next year is to stay healthy.”
Perez is part of that core, joining Witt, Jensen, Maikel Garcia, Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone as the hitters who will carry the weight for the Royals in 2027.
Perez had high praise for Jensen, too, as the catching heir in Kansas City. That makes it easier for Perez to ease up on catching responsibilities as Jensen earns his trust.
“If he continues to do what he’s doing right now, if he prepares his body right, he’s going to be in this game a long time,” Perez said. “I won’t say I’m going to catch 110 games anymore because it’s going to be hard. It’s not that I don’t want that, but it’s part of life. When you got guys like Jensen, who does a good job, it makes me feel better about it. He’s ready. Now, you feel like you’re doing the best thing you can for the team.”