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Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. Sends Salvador Perez Clear Message After Pirates Game

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Nate Lunak | Last updated Jul 10, 2025 12:57 PM ET

It has been an up-and-down first half of the 2025 season for the Kansas City Royals as they sit in second place in the American League Central, sporting a 46-48 record.

However, on Wednesday, they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 4-3, to complete a three-game sweep and propel them into a four-game winning streak.

Their win came in an exciting fashion because while tied at 3 in the eighth inning, veteran catcher Salvador Perez launched a solo home run, for the go-ahead run.

It was a fun moment, and after the game, shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. took to his Instagram story to post a photo of him and Perez, writing "Him!! @salvadorp13."

Of course, Witt's high praise for the catcher doesn't come as a surprise, because in Perez's now 14-year career, he has proven to be a great player, earning nine All-Star appearances, five Silver Sluggers and five Gold Gloves.

Even at 35 years old, he's putting up decent numbers, appearing in 89 games, accumulating 347 at-bats, 85 hits, 24 runs scored, 13 home runs, 54 RBIs and 16 walks with a slash line of .245/.285/.427.

Unfortunately for him, though, for just the third time since 2013 he will not be making an All-Star Game appearance (excluding 2019 because he did not play due to injury and 2020 because there was no All-Star Game). The only Royals selected to this year's All-Star Game were Witt and starting pitcher Kris Bubic.

This could also potentially be his final ride with the Royals, as he's in the final season of his four-year, $82 million deal with the team. Even though there is a club option for 2026 for $13.5 million, it's unclear if it will be picked up.

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

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