Royals' Perez undergoing thumb surgery, expected to return this season

Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez will undergo surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament on his left thumb, the team announced Friday.

Perez will be placed on the 10-day injured list. The club expects him to return to the field this season.

After tying for the major-league lead with 48 home runs in 2021, Perez has struggled to replicate that success this season. The 32-year-old owns a .211/.254/.426 slash line with 11 home runs, 25 runs scored, and 34 RBIs across 57 games.

The Royals will likely turn to MJ Melendez to handle the lion's share of playing time behind the plate in Perez's absence.

The 23-year-old is acquitting himself nicely in his first taste of MLB. Melendez is hitting .234/.333/.421 with six home runs, 17 RBIs, and a 115 wRC+ in 43 games.