Hudler Says Perez Thumb Contusion Looms Over Astros Vs Royals
Salvador Perez is nursing a thumb contusion as astros vs royals opens, and Royals broadcaster Rex Hudler said that leaves Kansas City leaning harder on the catcher who “stirs the Royals drink.” Hudler also said the club is still expecting big things from Perez the rest of the way.
Perez and Hudler
“Salvy is the straw that stirs the Royals drink!” Hudler said, before adding, “He’s been nursing a thumb contusion but they’re expecting big things from him the rest of the way.” Perez is the central offensive piece in this series primer, and Kansas City’s hopes are tied to whether he can keep producing while dealing with the hand issue.
Hudler did not soften the broader view of the season. “After such a dismal start to the season, we’re just hoping to finish.500 if I’m being honest,” he said, putting the Royals’ immediate target in plain terms while Houston arrives for the series.
Wacha and the Trade Deadline
Michael Wacha gives Kansas City a different kind of value. Hudler called him “as consistent as you want for a big-league starter” and said he has “as good of a fastball/changeup combo there is in all of baseball.” He also said Wacha is “a bargaining chip” and added, “Contenders will be interested.”
That matters because the Royals have fallen short of expectations this season, and the right-hander’s name sits in the trade conversation even while he remains part of the rotation. Hudler also said the Royals were expecting a 5 and 5 road trip last week, another sign of a team trying to steady itself while deciding how aggressively to navigate the deadline.
Royals Bullpen and Houston Flashbacks
The pitching staff has changed shape, too. Hudler said Chris Bubic has been injured and is a couple of starts from joining the rotation, while the bullpen is finally settled after early trouble. “The bullpen is finally settled, early on Erceg blew five saves but Alex Lang has stepped up, and skipper Matt Quatraro has confidence in him,” he said.
Houston enters with its own target: a road sweep similar to what it accomplished last month at Wrigley. Kauffman Stadium still carries 2015 ALDS flashbacks for Astros fans, and Salvador Perez and Jose Altuve remain holdover links from that series. For Kansas City, the immediate question is whether Perez can manage the thumb issue while the club tries to turn a dismal start into a finish near.500.
