Salvador Perez rebuts Royals manager Matt Quatraro over 'mental breather' line
The Royals' captain apparently has an issue with something the Royals' manager said.
Kansas City Royals captain Salvador Perez got a day off Saturday, apparently against his will. The fun began when the Royals posted a lineup without Perez. Royals manager Matt Quatraro then told reporters he was giving Perez a “mental breather” after some recent struggles, with Carter Jensen getting the start behind the plate instead.
Quatraro on giving Salvador Perez a day off today: “Just looking at the way things have gone, he's played in every game. Day game after night game, Carter was going to catch today, and Salvy’s been struggling a little bit. Just try to give him a little mental breather.
” #Royals — Anne Rogers (@anne__rogers) April 18, 2026 That seemed simple enough … until about nine hours later, when Perez bluntly posted, “I don’t need a mental breather” on social media. I don’t need a mental breather — Salvador Perez (@SalvadorPerez15) April 19, 2026 So it might not be the most harmonious state of play in Kansas City right now. The Royals also lost 13-4 to the New York Yankees on Saturday , worsening their record to 7-14, tied with the New York Mets for the worst in MLB .
Jensen homered in that game, bringing his season total up to five. What’s particularly awkward is that the 35-year-old Perez has barely been playable so far this season, after a down 2025. He’s slashed .