"The next piece in the Royals' youthful transition to the future should arrive tonight with the anticipated promotion of catcher Salvador Perez from Class AAA Omaha.

Perez, 21, is expected to become the club's regular catcher upon his arrival. He has been widely viewed as the organization's catcher of the future, and his promotion to the big leagues prior to the end of the season loomed as a virtual certainty.

Circumstances hastened the move.

Brayan Peña is departing the team today to attend the birth of his child in Miami, which leaves the club with just one available catcher - rookie Manny Piña - because Matt Treanor remains on the seven-day disabled list while recovering from a concussion.

"They're going to induce (today) in Miami," said Peña, who played the entire game in Tuesday's 4-0 loss to the Rays. "Ned (Yost) said I can take as long as it takes, and I don't care how long it takes as long as he comes out healthy."

Peña is expected to return in time for Friday's series opener in Chicago, but club officials confirmed another catcher will be added in his absence. Club officials also acknowledged Perez as the obvious choice."