Royals activate C Salvador Perez from IL

The 32-year-old has been out of action since June 21 after undergoing surgery on his left thumb. 

Once expected to be out until late August, Perez's rehab progressed ahead of schedule, and he was cleared for a minor league assignment earlier this week. Perez played three games for Triple-A Omaha, where he went a combined 4-for-8 at the plate with a walk and three strikeouts. 

The seven-time All-Star struggled at the start of the season before needing surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. Perez slashed.211/.254/.426 with 11 home runs and 34 RBI through 57 games. 

Perez was an All-Star in 2021, batting .273/.316/.544 while posting career highs in home runs (48) and RBI (121). 

Now fully healthy, the hope is Perez can return to form and inject some life into the Royals' lineup. 

The Royals are currently in last place within the AL Central with a record of 39-60. They sit 13.5 games back of the first-place Minnesota Twins (52-46) and a full 14.0 games back of the third and final wildcard spot, occupied by the Tampa Bay Rays (53-46).