{"id":2293371,"date":"2026-02-22T02:36:26","date_gmt":"2026-02-22T02:36:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2293371"},"modified":"2026-02-22T02:36:26","modified_gmt":"2026-02-22T02:36:26","slug":"salvador-perez-began-royals-game-with-heartwarming-gesture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/salvador-perez-began-royals-game-with-heartwarming-gesture\/","title":{"rendered":"Salvador Perez began Royals game with heartwarming gesture"},"content":{"rendered":"

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<\/p>\nSURPRISE, Ariz.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres matched up for the first time<\/a> since their major trade during the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

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The Royals traded Freddy Fermin to the Padres<\/a> in exchange for Ryan Bergert and Stephen Kolek. It was a move that satisfied the Royals\u2019 pitching needs and gave Fermin a chance to become an everyday catcher in the big leagues.<\/p>\n

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On Saturday, Fermin was behind the plate against his former club. And Bergert was on the mound to start the game.<\/p>\n

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Cue the weird \u2014 and also fun \u2014 moments.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDefinitely a little weird walking out there and seeing them out there,\u201d Bergert said with a smile. \u201cJust different guys that I played with. So it was fun and it was cool. Something I\u2019ll remember for sure.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Bergert faced Fermin at the plate. He recorded a groundout to end his lone scoreless inning in his first spring start.<\/p>\n

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Fermin got a chance to chat with his former Royals teammates. He spoke with Jonathan India, Bobby Witt Jr. and Vinnie Pasquantino in the first inning.<\/p>\n

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Then, he received a big hug<\/a> from Royals star Salvador Perez. Perez and Fermin have a special relationship after years spent in the Royals organization.<\/p>\n

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Salvador Perez gave Padres catcher Freddy Fermin a nice hug at the plate.<\/p>\n

Things you love to see in spring training.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jaylon T. Thompson (@jaylonthompson) February 21, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote><\/div>\n

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\u201cHe made a great play on me, too,\u201d Witt said of Fermin. \u201cAny time that you look at him, you\u2019re smiling. I saw him a little before the game. It\u2019s fun to see him out there.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Fermin spent four seasons with the Royals. He climbed every minor-league rung to make it to the big leagues. His story became inspirational to Royals fans, and he earned lots of praise in Kansas City.<\/p>\n

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The Royals were Fermin\u2019s first home. He will return to Kauffman Stadium from July 17-19 as the Padres are in town for a three-game series.<\/p>\n

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It\u2019s possible the Royals could have Bergert or Kolek on the roster. They are battling for a roster spot on the pitching staff. Both performed well in 2025 and have experience pitching in high-level games.<\/p>\n

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Bergert is ready for whatever role he is given. His goal is to provide consistency whenever he steps onto the mound.<\/p>\n

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Even if it\u2019s against his former team.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThat\u2019s the biggest part of being a starting pitcher,\u201d Bergert said. \u201cIt\u2019s having them be able to rely (on you) and they know what they are going to get every night or every five days that you go out there. That\u2019s probably the main thing. Show up every day and be the same person.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Related Stories from Kansas City Star<\/h5>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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Jaylon Thompson<\/a><\/p>\n

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The Kansas City Star<\/span><\/p>\n

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Jaylon Thompson covers the Royals for The Kansas City Star. He previously covered the 2021 World Series and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Jaylon is a proud alumnus of the University of Georgia.<\/span>\n <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n