The Kansas City Royals placed star catcher Salvador Perez on the 10-day injured list Friday due to vision problems.
Perez awoke with visions problems on Sunday in Minnesota and was examined by a Minneapolis eye doctor the following day. The doctor found Perez has a fluid-filled particle in his left eye that will eventually dissolve.
The diagnosis was confirmed by a Kansas City eye specialist on Tuesday.
Perez started Monday’s game against the Twins but had to exit in the sixth inning. The six-time All-Star has missed the ensuing two games as the vision troubles continued.
Kansas City manager Mike Matheny said the eye doctors have indicated there is minimal long-term risk for Perez, who also tested positive for COVID-19 in early July.
The 30-year-old Perez is batting .307 with four homers and 12 RBIs in 22 games.
Matheny said Cam Gallagher (3-for-10) will serve as the No. 1 catcher while Perez is sidelined. Meibrys Viloria (0-for-5) will be the backup.
“Cam is an excellent receiver,” Matheny said. “He handles the games well. And as you’ve seen, he has given us some really good at-bats as well.
“It’s tough to take someone like Salvy out of the lineup. He’s our best hitter right now. But we need other guys to step up right now.”
The Royals also activated left-hander Randy Rosario (arm soreness) from the injured list. Rosario has a 4.83 career ERA in 65 relief appearances with the Minnesota Twins (2017), Chicago Cubs (2018-19) and Royals (2019).
Kansas City opens a three-game series against the visiting Twins on Friday.