The Giants’ opening day catcher is done for the year.
After suffering a shoulder injury against the Kansas City Royals, Roberto Pérez was placed on the 60-day injured list. The team called it a strain at the time, something he’d dealt with in the past.
There was no timeline for the veteran, who’d signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal after missing most of the last two seasons with finger and hamstring injuries. He also missed time in 2020 with shoulder strains.
But on Thursday, the team announced he’d miss the year, releasing the following statement:
Roberto Perez underwent season-ending surgery yesterday to repair his rotator cuff. The surgery was performed by Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Perez will return to San Francisco tomorrow to begin his rehab program.
Pérez’s injury has given an opportunity to Joey Bart and Blake Sabol, two 26- and 25-year-old catching prospects who have plenty to prove.
San Francisco had brought up Austin Wynns when Pérez went down, but designated him for assignment upon Bart’s return. They also have former Yankees slugger Gary Sanchez waiting in the minor leagues, but Gabe Kapler said on April 8, “Sánchez isn’t quite ready to be an option for us yet.”
For now, the Giants are without a veteran backstop.
