Salvador Perez Fantasy Stats

Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro is unsure if catcher Salvador Perez (hip) will catch this weekend in the series against the division-rival Detroit Tigers because he's still nursing a sore hip, according to Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star. "I don't think so. I think we want to take it cautiously. But we're talking to him every day. But for right now, that wouldn't be my plan," Quatraro said. Perez's hip soreness isn't serious enough to keep him out of the lineup, though, as he's serving as the designated hitter and is batting cleanup for Thursday's series finale against the division-rival Cleveland Guardians and right-hander Slade Cecconi. The 35-year-old veteran is hitting just over the Mendoza Line on the year, but of late, he's gone 13-for-44 (.295) with two home runs, two doubles, 11 RBI, and eight runs scored in his last 11 games since April 25. Durability is going to be an issue for the aging Venezuelan, and he could require more DH days throughout the year in his 15th year in the big leagues.

Kansas City Royals catcher/designated hitter Salvador Perez could be turning things around after a slow start to the season. The veteran backstop is 6-for-15 (.400) over his last three games, including a pair of home runs, four RBI, and four runs scored. The nine-time All-Star is hitting just .196 through 28 games, even after the recent hot streak, and with just a 3.4 percent walk rate, his on-base percentage sits at a paltry .229. With a .254 wOBA and 52 wRC+ on the season, the 35-year-old has been a disappointment for fantasy, and with a noticeable dip in bat speed, from 64th percentile in 2025 to 39th percentile in 2026, there may be cause for concern, but he's coming off a 30-home run campaign while producing similar contact, strikeout, and barrel rates, so fantasy managers should exercise patience with the five-time Silver Slugger award winner.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (thumb) took live batting practice on Monday during the team's full-squad workout in camp, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Perez appears to be fully healthy at spring training after injuring his thumb in the offseason while playing in the Venezuelan Winter League. Despite being long in the tooth, Perez managed to reach the 30-homer mark for just the second time in his career in 2025 in his 14th season in the big leagues. He reached the 100-RBI mark for just the third time in his career and for the second straight season. The 35-year-old nine-time All-Star hit a career-low .236, though. The Royals split Perez's playing time between catcher, first base, and designated hitter to try to keep him fresh, and the expectation is that this will continue in 2026, with Carter Jensen ready to take on a bigger catching role. Perez can still be productive in fantasy, but he's more of a low-end starting catcher now than a high-end one.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez continues to display impressive power heading into his age-35 season. The veteran backstop slugged 30 home runs across 155 games last year; that home run total was higher than his total from each of the three previous seasons. Power is Perez's primary calling card at this point in his career, as he also posted a suboptimal 4.4% walk rate, 19.5% strikeout rate, and 95 wRC+ along with -8.2 fWAR at the plate and -8.7 fWAR in the field. He made 38 appearances as the Royals' designated hitter, 30 at first base, and 92 behind the dish. He played replacement-level defense at first, but he offered a worrisome -7.6 FRM at catcher. FanGraphs still projects Perez as the Royals' Opening Day catcher, but we wouldn't be surprised to see him spend more time at first base and designated hitter while a depth option -- presumably, rookie Carter Jensen -- straps on the gear. Regardless of where Perez plays defensively, we expect his power to carry over from last year, keeping him on the fantasy radar in most leagues. He currently ranks as the #9 catcher in RotoBaller's latest fantasy baseball draft rankings.

The Kansas City Royals announced on Tuesday that they agreed to a two-year contract extension with veteran catcher Salvador Perez through the 2027 season. The deal is worth $25 million. Before the extension, Perez had a $13.5 million team option for the 2026 campaign. The 35-year-old nine-time All-Star showed his age by hitting .236 (141-for-597) in 2025, but he still managed to reach the 30-homer mark for just the second time in his career while driving in 100 runs for the third time in his career and in back-to-back seasons. The Venezuelan backstop is heading into his 15th MLB campaign, and while he still has plenty of fantasy value at a weak position because of his power and run-producing ability, injuries will be a concern, and fantasy managers will no longer be able to count on a high batting average.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez had a Saturday afternoon to remember in an 8-6 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies. The 35-year-old finished 2-for-4 with a pair of homers and three runs batted in, giving him 300 HRs and 1,000 RBI for his career. Perez, the eighth primary catcher to reach the 300-HR mark, entered Saturday mired in a severe slump that has lasted for over a month. After putting up a .621 OPS in August, Perez has gone just 8-for-45 (.177) in September, though he has smacked four HRs in that 12-game span. Despite an unspectacular .235/.277/.445 line in 584 plate appearances this year, Perez ranks third among catchers in RBI (84) and fourth in homers (27). He has a shot at the second 30-HR campaign of his career.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (illness) is back behind the plate and will hit fifth for Wednesday's contest against the visiting Texas Rangers and right-hander Caleb Boushley. Perez was under the weather to begin the week and missed the first two games of the series against Texas on Monday and Tuesday, but he's feeling better now. The 35-year-old veteran will be hoping to get back on track offensively, as he's gone just 11-for-62 (.177) in 15 games in the month of August. However, despite the cold stick this month, the nine-time All-Star has still managed four home runs, two doubles, six RBI and nine runs scored for a hot Royals team. Perez is hitless in just one at-bat against Boushley, who will be making the first start of his career.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (illness) is out of the starting lineup for the second straight day due to an illness in the second game of the series on Tuesday against the visiting Texas Rangers. Luke Maile will do the catching again and will bat ninth against Rangers right-hander Merrill Kelly. Perez is expected to be available off the bench on Tuesday, which suggests that he should be ready for Wednesday's contest against Texas. In addition to being sick the last couple of days, the 35-year-old veteran backstop hasn't felt good about his performance at the plate this month, as he's gone 11-for-62 (.177). However, four of his 11 hits have cleared the fences, and he's also driven in six runs in 15 games. Maile has never faced Kelly in his career and is a poor DFS sleeper choice at catcher. He has gone 5-for-24 on the year with a homer and two RBI in 12 games in KC.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (illness) has been scratched from Monday's series opener against the visiting Texas Rangers at Kauffman Stadium due to an illness, according to Anne Rogers of MLB.com. Luke Maile will take over behind the plate to catch right-hander Michael Wacha and will hit eighth against Rangers right-handeer Jack Leiter. Perez is under the weather to begin the week, but there's a good chance he'll return on Tuesday for the second game of the series. Fantasy managers should check back then. The 35-year-old nine-time All-Star's play of late has left a lot to be desired in fantasy, as he's gone just 11-for-62 (.177) in 15 games in the month of August, although four of his 11 hits have cleared the fences and he's driven in six. Maile should be avoided in DFS lineups and has never faced Leiter in his career.

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (elbow) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Atlanta Braves. Perez won't miss any time after making an early exit from Monday's game. He was pulled out from that contest after getting hit by a pitch in the elbow. Perez appears good to go as he'll serve as the designated hitter and bat fifth versus right-hander Erick Fedde. Fantasy managers better make sure to get Perez in their lineups ahead of first pitch. Perez is slashing .346/.391/.765 with nine home runs and 20 RBI in 22 games this month.