CLEVELAND -- Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez has returned to the lineup after missing six games with a bruised left thigh.
Perez, the Most Valuable Player in last year's World Series when the Royals defeated the New York Mets, is batting fifth Saturday against the Cleveland Indians. He was injured in a collision with third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert while chasing a foul popup May 28.
Perez, a three-time All-Star, is batting .277 with seven homers and 25 RBIs in 46 games for the Royals, who lead the AL Central despite dealing with injuries to several key players.
Third baseman Mike Moustakas will miss the rest of the season after having surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee, and left fielder Alex Gordon is on the 15-day disabled list with a broken right wrist.
