Kansas City Royals Announce Roster Move After Salvador Perez News

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The Kansas City Royals made a roster move on Sunday as they continue navigating a difficult start to the 2026 season. Before their series finale against the New York Yankees, veteran catcher Salvador Perez revealed that he is expected to serve as designated hitter more frequently over the next few days as he manages a sore hip.

The issue has limited his mobility behind the plate, prompting the Royals to adjust their catching depth to have more options aside from rookie Carter Jensen.

The Kansas City Royals announced on X before Sunday’s series finale against the New York Yankees that they had selected the contract of catcher Elias Diaz.

The move comes after a brief controversy earlier this weekend. Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Perez needed a mental breather, a comment Perez publicly pushed back on.

The two have since smoothed things over, but the situation highlighted the frustration surrounding both Perez’s performance and the team’s slow start. On Sunday, Diaz drew the start behind the plate with Perez serving as DH.

Perez has struggled significantly to open the season. Through 20 games, the 35-year-old is hitting .160 with a .210 on-base percentage and .517 OPS. He has hit three home runs, but consistent contact and production has been an issue.

For a player who has been the face of the franchise for more than a decade, the early slump has been a major factor in Kansas City’s offensive problems.

The addition of Diaz gives the Royals another option at catcher, especially with Jensen not yet ready to handle a full workload. Diaz, also 35, was on a minor-league deal at Triple-A before being selected.

Sunday marked his first appearance with Kansas City and the fourth organization of his career. He was an All-Star with the in 2023, but his offensive production has dipped since then, limiting his opportunities. Now, he gets another chance in Kansas City.