PHOENIX -- Royals reliever Josh Staumont threw one inning in a simulated game on the backfields of the Royals’ Spring Training complex on Thursday.

The next step for Staumont will be Cactus League action.

“He was good,” Royals manager Mike Matheny said before the Royals’ 4-2 win over the Brewers at American Family Fields of Phoenix. “He got better as he went. Better as he got men on base, which is always good.

“I think it’s also indicative of some of the timing thing that he needs to put together. But once he got guys on base, he was lights out. Just has to do with rhythm, some guys feel better rhythm when they’re slow and methodical, other guys need that tempo to set the pace for them. And Josh, once he got into his rhythm, was very good.”

Staumont was delayed getting into camp for undisclosed reasons, setting his schedule back and causing the Royals to ease him into his workload because of a break in his throwing schedule. But he’s been able to get on the field recently for bullpens and live batting practice, and the simulated game Thursday was the final step before getting into a game.

The Royals will start to put together more simulated games in Spring Training because starters are beginning to build up to four and five innings per outing, taking some Cactus League innings away from relievers or non-roster starters.

Scott Barlow, Jesse Hahn, Jonathan Bowlan, Gabe Speier and Eric Skoglund also threw in the simulated game Thursday, with Bowlan particularly impressing. The Royals’ No. 8 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, has an easy delivery and nasty stuff that garnered a ton of swing and miss on Thursday.

“He is really impressive with his body control,” Matheny said. “His body stays in lanes, his arm does too. And he tracks so well from pitch to pitch. Just sneaky good velocity. It was a really good display of his whole repertoire.”

Taylor scratched with back tightness

Center fielder Michael A. Taylor was scratched from Thursday’s lineup because of back tightness, Matheny said.

The Royals aren’t overly concerned with the tightness; this early in spring, teams and players would rather be cautious. Taylor will take advantage of the day off on Thursday and the team off-day on Friday to rest from swinging.

Perez hits third homer, ready for season

Catcher Salvador Perez looks ready for the regular season. He crushed his third home run of the spring on Thursday, this one bouncing off the concrete wall beyond the center field wall.

“Doing my job,” Perez said. “I feel good. Feel great. Healthy. Thank God, and hopefully we keep it that way.”

Perez said he’s been working on taking pitches this Spring Training and hitting deep in the count. It’s an idea he and his trainers had this offseason, and he’s used these early games to put it in action.

“Not trying to be too aggressive,” Perez said. “I don’t try to take a lot of walks, so trying to work on that, seeing the pitches more and letting the ball come to me. Just do my job. When the season starts, I just need to see it and hit it.”

After missing all of 2019 because of Tommy John surgery and missing time even in the 60-game shortened season, Perez will be ready Opening Day.

“I think you see a good player taking good at-bats,” Matheny said. “You’re looking at a player over the last two years who hasn’t played that many games. So you’re talking about a hunger. He wants to get in there and keep going. He wants to be a part of something special here. So, it’s a combination of the leadership and wanting to go play. He felt like he got shorted last year, probably more than anybody else. He was so ready for 162 after being shut down the year before. I think part of that plays into it also.”

Worth noting

• Starter Mike Minor made his second outing of spring and allowed one earned run in three innings, with five strikeouts. He was able to use his curveball more this outing and felt good with how it looked. Kris Bubic followed Minor and threw a scoreless two innings with one strikeout.

“There’s a better rhythm, stuff’s coming out of his hand better, worked the bottom of the zone better,” Matheny said. “All the way around, just a better day. And then when he does that, the changeup’s going to be better.”

• The Royals have their first team off-day of the spring on Friday and aren’t planning on holding any official club workouts at their facility. After 12 consecutive days with Spring Training games, they are 9-3, leading the Cactus League in wins.

Roster moves

The Royals made their first roster moves of the spring after Thursday’s game, sending 18 players to Minor League camp:

• Pitchers Scott Blewett and Ronald Bolaños, catcher Meibrys Viloria and outfielder Edward Olivares were optioned to Triple-A Omaha.

• Pitchers Jonathan Bowlan, Austin Cox, Grant Gavin, Jon Heasley, Asa Lacy, Alec Marsh, Noah Murdock, Carlos Sanabria, Collin Snider, Andres Sotillet, Gabe Speier and Jace Vines; catchers Freddy Fermin and MJ Melendez; infielders Gabriel Cancel, Clay Dungan, Jeison Gúzman, Nick Loftin, Nick Pratto and Emmanuel Rivera; and outfielders Seuly Matias, Anderson Miller and Erick Peña were reassigned to Minor League camp.

The Royals still have 46 players in Major League camp, including 14 non-roster invites.