SURPRISE, Ariz. Royals All-Star catcher and five-time Gold Glove winner Salvador Perez remains hopeful that hell be able to play this season, but he also knows that he has to be prepared for the possibility of missing the entire 2019 campaign.
Perez spoke with reporters at the team facility in Arizona on Saturday, one day after the team announced that an MRI revealed damage to the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm.
Hell travel to Los Angeles next week to receive a second opinion from surgeon Neal ElAttrache on Tuesday.
Royals manager Ned Yost wasnt willing to look down the road beyond Tuesdays second opinion, but Perez knows he may need season-ending Tommy John surgery that would likely come with a recovery timetable of a year.
Its hard to prepare for that, Perez said. Thats going to be the worst thing, but Ive got to be ready too. Im going to go to L.A. for the second opinion. Like Skip said, well see.
Asked about a report from MLB Networks Jon Heyman that Tommy John surgery had been recommended, Royals trainer Nick Kenney said at this point there has been no recommendation of surgery, but that it has been discussed as an option.
While surgery serves as the clear worst-case scenario, the best-case for Perez would be sitting out for a period of time before going into some sort of rest and rehabilitation regiment.
If I can play through it, I will, Perez said.
General manager Dayton Moore didnt completely rule out a potential scenario where Perez could play in some capacity that would take him from behind the plate yet still be in the lineup. However, Moore stressed that theyd do the right thing for both the player and the organization.
To play this year? Exactly. Yeah, thats my hope, Perez said. I dont think nobody wants to miss a year. Were going to see. Well go to L.A.
Perez, 28, remains under contract through the 2021 season. Hes slated to make $13 million per year in base salary next season and the year after. The team will factor his future into any decision.
You cant measure what he means to a team, Moore said. Its not just on the field. Its in the clubhouse. Its in the community. His enthusiasm is just so infectious. He represents, in my opinion, a lot of what this game should be about.
That joy and enthusiasm as well as his natural charisma have made Perez a player fans love to watch play, Moore said. On the field, Moore also pointed to a lot of wow moments that Perez creates with his defense from his position behind home plate.
Hes a Gold Glover and a Silver Slugger and an All-Star, Moore said. Hes one of the best overall catching talents that Ive ever been around, and hes a joy to watch play baseball. So were going to miss him for the 2019 season, potentially. Well see, but we have to prepare like that.
Moore said the preference would be to go forward with Cam Gallagher and Meibrys Viloria as their top options in camp unless something else falls in their lap. Both Gallagher and Viloria are currently on the 40-man roster. Theyll search for depth Moore specified a third or fourth catcher type and theyd evaluate internally first.
