Sal Perez makes his return from thumb surgery as the Kansas City Royals take on Yankees

The Kansas City Royals lineup received a boost on Friday with the return of four-time Silver Slugger award winner and seven-time All-Star catcher Salvador Perez from the injured list.

The Royals activated Perez, who went on the injured list on June 24 after he had surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his left thumb. The Royals optioned third baseman Emmanuel Rivera to Triple-A Omaha to make room for Perez.

“He’s the heart and soul of our club,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said. “You’re talking about a guy who kind of controls a clubhouse. You need that from some of your veteran players. A guy that goes about his business how you’d want it to be emulated from everybody. Then you take the fact that he’s really good. All of those things combined, we’re really happy to have him back.”

While the initial indication was that the injury might sideline Perez for eight weeks, he’d been ramping up his activity in recent weeks and went on a minor-league rehab assignment this week before he rejoined the team on Friday at Yankee Stadium before the game against the Yankees.

The five-week return was the earliest possible date that the hand surgeon had given the Royals and Perez. Friday marked five weeks.

The surgeon laid a specific timeline of the earliest possible dates Perez could appear in a minor-league and a major-league game, Matheny said.

“He’s a tough patient because he’s not patient,” Matheny said. “But that’s great. We love that he’s pushing the limits of it all the time. They’re constantly letting him as much as they can, but also pulling back on the reins.”

Perez did not speak with reporters on the field during pregame batting practice.

But when asked about the potential of Perez’s return coming too fast, Matheny said, “ It’s been the doctor’s call from day 1.”

Matheny also added that Perez felt two weeks ago that he was ready to return.

Perez initially injured the thumb in May and missed 10 games with what was termed a left thumb sprain. He was on the IL from May 17-27. He opted to return to action after rest and rehab.

Then in Anaheim on June 21, Perez re-aggravated the injury and had to leave that game in the third inning. He had surgery following the second injury.

Both times, Perez’s thumb injuries took place while swinging the bat.

He returned to the lineup as the designated hitter for his first game since June 21.

“It will be a process,” Matheny said of easing Perez back into everyday action. “It depends a lot on how he feels. He felt great after catching with the Triple-A team.”

This season, Perez has not been as potent at the plate as has been typical for him. He slashed .211/.254/.426 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs in 57 games.

Last season, he posted one of the most productive offensive seasons for a catcher in MLB history. He slashed .273/.316/.544, led the majors in RBIs (121) and tied for the lead in home runs (48). That home run total also tied the franchise single-season record and marked the most for a primary catcher (at least 75% of his games at catcher) in MLB history.

Perez’s return means rookie catcher MJ Melendez will likely return to playing multiple positions, including the outfield and possibly third base.

“It’s baseball. I feel like I’ll be ready for any situation, any position they put me in,” Melendez said. “It’s exciting to have him back. It’s a big bat in our lineup, something that we need, something that is just going to help us win more games. I’m excited for it.”

Witt could return this weekend

Now that Perez is back, the next big bat to return for the Royals could be rookie shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Witt has been sidelined since leaving last Sunday’s game due to hamstring tightness. He had a full pregame workout on Friday that included running the bases, fielding, throwing and an extended batting practice session.

Matheny said he was optimistic about the potential of Witt returning to the lineup this weekend in New York.

It wouldn’t be surprising if his first game back came as the designated hitter, similarly to how the Royals decided to ease Perez back into the lineup.