Royals' Perez claps back at Quatraro: 'I don't need a mental breather'

Kansas City Royals catcher and team captain Salvador Perez clapped back at manager Matt Quatraro after being left out of the lineup for the first time this season against the New York Yankees.

Quatraro explained his decision to omit the "struggling" Perez from the lineup Saturday because he needed "a little mental breather," according to MLB.com's Anne Rogers.

Later on the day, Perez took to social media to strongly dispute Quatraro's remarks.

Perez is hitting .160/.210/.307 with three home runs and six RBIs in 20 games this season. The 35-year-old has left 45 runners on base, the fourth-worst mark in MLB entering Saturday.

Perez, who's spent his entire major league career with the Royals, is under contract through the 2026-27 season. The nine-time All-Star ranks second in franchise history with 306 career home runs.

New York beat Kansas City 13-4 on Saturday. The 7-14 Royals have lost six in a row.