Royals Announce Salvador Perez News After Removal From Lineup

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Elie Deglaoui | Last updated Aug 18, 2025 6:16 PM ET

Heading into Monday's game against the Texas Rangers, the Kansas City Royals are rolling. They swept the Chicago White Sox in a three-game weekend series, and they have also won five of their last six games.

With a little over a month left in the season, the AL Central crown looks to be out of the picture as they are nine games behind the Detroit Tigers. However, they are just 0.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians in the standings. Additionally, they are four games behind the New York Yankees for the third AL Wild Card spot.

As Kansas City looks to make another playoff appearance, they must end the season strong. Securing their fourth consecutive win on Monday would provide a huge help, but according to an official announcement from the team, they will have to overcome an obstacle as catcher Salvador Perez was scratched from the lineup due to an illness. They inserted Luke Maile in his place.

"Salvador Perez has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to illness," the Royals wrote on X.

Salvador Perez has been scratched from tonight's lineup due to illness.

UPDATED LINEUP:

DH Mike Yastrzemski
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
1B Vinnie Pasquantino
3B Maikel Garcia
LF Adam Frazier
2B Jonathan India
RF John Rave
C Luke Maile
CF Kyle Isbel
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) August 18, 2025

Hopefully for the Royals and Perez, his illness will not keep him sidelined for too long.

Salvador Perez Has Taken a Step Back This Season

Perez, who has been with Kansas City throughout his entire MLB career, has not had a great campaign so far. Through 119 games, the 35-year-old is hitting .244 at the plate with 22 home runs and 70 RBIs. While these numbers are not bad on their own, they are a clear drop-off for Perez, who also missed out on the All-Star game for the second time since 2013.

Though his performance has dipped this season, Perez is still a big part of the Royals' roster, especially as they aim to end the season on a high note and make their second straight playoff appearance.

Because the Venezuelan native is no longer in the lineup for Monday's game, his next opportunity to suit up will be on Tuesday. Until there is more clarity, his game status will be worth monitoring. Furthermore, it will be worth watching how Maile performs in Perez's absence.

Through 11 games with Kansas City this season, Maile is hitting .250 with one home run and two RBIs. If Perez is set to miss any more games, he will be a name to keep an eye on as the Royals look to keep their momentum going during the final stretch of the season.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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