Why the KC Royals should shut it down

I’ve watched and studied Salvador Pérez since he broke into the KC Royals in 2011, two seasons before he earned the first of his eight American League All-Star berths, three before his unforgettable shot down the line. left field at Kauffman Stadium propelled the club beyond the 2014 Wild Card game and onto an incredible run that didn’t end until Game 7 of the World Series, and four seasons before his club won the World Series and he won the World Series Player of the Year award. Most Valuable Player of the Fall Classic.

When it comes to Salvy, the good almost always outweighs the bad. That’s why she has won five Gold Glovers and holds more Silver Slugger awards than any other royal, including George Brett.

It is, in short, a pleasure to watch.

But now I hope not to see him anywhere on the field for the rest of the season.

This is why.

The willingness to play through thick and thin obviously drives Salvador Pérez. Time and time again throughout his career, he has valiantly tried to overcome injuries and stay on the field with his teammates. More times than any of us can count, he has been through the pain and discomfort part of it; Without a doubt, he has taken the field when the best option was to stay on the bench.

And can anyone really provide an accurate estimate of how many times they’ve been hit in the mask by foul balls, a dangerous risk inherent and inseparable from the job catchers do? present.

So it was no surprise that Perez appeared dizzy and unsteady after committing another mask foul against Houston on Saturday night. The Royals did not immediately remove him from the game.

However, his stay in the field did not last long. Pérez left for the clubhouse a few minutes later; To everyone’s relief, The Royals reported later that night that he had suffered a head impact that did not cause a concussion.

However, concussions are complicated things and it turns out Perez has one and is now on the seven-day concussion-related injury list.

Of course, it remains to be seen how Perez responds: some players recover quickly, others do not. But if he’s cleared to play the final week of the season (the Royals finish the season a week after Sunday), isn’t it better to shut down Salvy?

In my opinion, yes. I’m not a doctor, but it doesn’t take a medical degree to know that coming back too soon from a concussion can do more harm than good, and Perez plays in a position ripe for head injuries. Keeping him out until spring training won’t prevent future injuries, but it will reduce the risk of present complications.

And although he seems to despise riding handstands, Perez deserves some time off. Yes, he’s played first base more than ever this season, he’s been a designated hitter and he’s taken a day off now and then, but the rigors of catching 88 games still take their toll.

Assuming he clears the protocols and is declared ready to play, getting Perez off the field won’t be easy for manager Matt Quatraro. Perez’s penchant for playing is legendary, his reluctance to watch and not play is a hard fact. But he and the Royals have nothing to gain if Pérez plays again this season: the club was, as a practical (and eventually mathematical) matter, eliminated from the postseason a long time ago and has little chance of avoiding the five losses that will ensue. . make it the losingest team in franchise history. And Perez could probably use an advantage in the offseason break.

Is there a positive side? Yes, at least as much as there can be in these situations. Resting Perez will give the Royals a better look at now-leading catcher Logan Porter, who has been impressive since being called up a week ago, and Tyler Cropley, who was promoted from Double-A for one day after a fractured a finger forced Freddy Fermín to retire. IL, then sent back to the minors to make room for Porter; Cropley returned Monday to take Perez’s spot on the roster.