The Kansas City Royals community was struck with devastating news as team captain Salvador Perez and his wife, Maria, shared a heartbreaking announcement: Maria has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The couple revealed the diagnosis in an emotional statement on social media, asking for privacy as they face this challenging journey together. The news, coming just a day after a 9-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins on April 9, has left Royals players, fans, and the broader baseball world in tears, rallying around the beloved captain with prayers and messages of support.

Perez, 34, has been the heart and soul of the Royals since joining the team in 2011, leading them to a 2015 World Series title and earning the World Series MVP honors that year. A nine-time All-Star and the team’s captain since 2023, he’s known for his durability, leadership, and infectious positivity. Maria, who has been by his side throughout his career, is a familiar face to Royals fans, often seen supporting Perez at Kauffman Stadium alongside their two children. The couple’s announcement came shortly after Perez was fined $50,000 by MLB for an on-field outburst during the Twins game, where he yelled expletives at umpires following a controversial call involving teammate Bobby Witt Jr.

“We are heartbroken to share that Maria has been diagnosed with breast cancer,” Perez wrote on Instagram. “We’re committed to fighting this together as a family, and we ask for your prayers and understanding during this time.” The post, which included a photo of the couple holding hands, quickly garnered thousands of responses from fans and fellow players. Royals manager Matt Quatraro, already under pressure after the team’s recent struggles, spoke at a press conference on April 10, his voice breaking. “Salvy and Maria are the heart of this team. We’re all praying for them,” he said. “Baseball takes a backseat right now.”

Teammates like Witt Jr. and Maikel Garcia expressed their support on social media. Witt Jr. posted, “We love you, Salvy and Maria. We’re with you every step of the way.” Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with hashtags like #PrayForMaria and #RoyalsFamily trending. One fan wrote, “Salvy’s always been there for us—now it’s our turn to be there for him and Maria.” The outpouring of love reflects Perez’s deep connection to Kansas City, where he’s become a community icon, often seen engaging with fans and supporting local causes.

The Royals, currently 5-8 after a promising 2024 playoff run, face the Chicago White Sox on April 11, but the focus has shifted to supporting Perez. The team announced that Perez will take a brief leave of absence to be with Maria as she begins treatment, with no set timeline for his return. Freddy Fermin is expected to step in as the starting catcher. This news adds to a tumultuous week for the Royals, following a $500,000 donation from billionaire MacKenzie Scott to help the team “stop losing” and owner John Sherman’s ultimatum to Quatraro. For now, though, the Royals community is united in prayer, hoping for Maria’s recovery and drawing strength from their shared support for their captain and his family.