Kansas City Royals
· 2026-07-09
Kansas City Royals announced they are promoting a third catcher after veteran Salvador Perez disclosed a sore elbow on July 9, 2026. The move comes as the Royals sit 14th in the American League with a 38‑55 record and a one‑game losing streak, following a 6‑2 loss to the New York Mets on July 8.
Perez, the Royals’ longtime backstop, felt discomfort in his right elbow during a bullpen session on Tuesday. Team doctors confirmed mild inflammation, recommending rest and a short rehab stint. The injury sidelines him for at least a week, leaving the Royals without their primary catcher for the upcoming series against the Detroit Tigers.
The Royals called up 24‑year‑old catcher Jared Miller from Triple‑A Omaha. Miller has logged 42 games this season with a .258 batting average and three home runs. He handled 112 pitches last week, throwing a solid 2.1 ERA in limited innings. The club also retains backup Mitch Garver, but Miller offers a right‑handed option that matches the rotation’s needs.
Losing Perez hurts the lineup’s continuity; he provides a .285 average and 12 RBIs this year. Miller’s promotion forces manager Matt Quintana to shuffle the batting order, likely moving MJ Melendez up to the ninth spot. The catching depth shift could also strain the bullpen, as Miller’s framing metrics are still unproven at the major‑league level.
The Royals will evaluate Perez’s elbow during the next two weeks. If his recovery stalls, the club may consider a short‑term trade for a veteran catcher before the trade deadline on August 31. Meanwhile, Miller will debut on Friday, and the team hopes his fresh arm can help steady the defense as they chase a win to climb out of the AL’s bottom tier.
The Royals’ next game is scheduled for July 12 at home against Detroit. With the roster in flux, every pitch and swing will matter as Kansas City strives to halt its slide and give fans a reason to stay hopeful.