Perez, Gordon close to returning to Royals
Catcher, outfielder progressing well in Minor League rehab
DETROIT -- The Royals could get two valuable American League Gold Glove Award-winning reinforcements back in their lineup as early as Tuesday.
Royals manager Ned Yost said Friday before the day-night doubleheader with the Tigers that both catcher Salvador Perez (left knee sprain) and left fielder Alex Gordon (left hip labral tear) could be activated from the disabled list soon.
Perez had been rehabbing with Double-A Northwest Arkansas, and he was transferred to Triple-A Omaha on Thursday; he went 1-for-4 with a single and caught seven innings. Gordon is expected to start his rehab with Omaha on Friday night.
"Salvy and Gordy are close," Yost said. "We're hoping to have them for the Milwaukee series when we get home [Tuesday], and if not, for sure the Chicago series [Thursday]. Salvy caught seven innings and feels great. He's going to DH today, and then catch tomorrow and catch Sunday. We'll evaluate then.
"Salvy wants to get back-to-back days under his belt. We'll see how his knee reacts, but it's been positive every day.
"With Gordy, it should be fairly quick as well. There was no original bruise, so it was just a matter of getting the inflammation out of there and he'd be good to go. We didn't think it would be long."