Major League teams have been reluctant to allow their players to participate in the World Baseball Classic and we saw why tonight when Salvador Perez had to exit his game against Italy in the bottom of the ninth after a home plate collision with his teammate on the Royals, Drew Butera.

God I hope Salvy is OK. Drew Butera hit him right in the knee#Royals pic.twitter.com/400NtOTME1 — Bobo (@bcoates74) March 12, 2017

Drew Butera taking out Salvador Perez. Yikes. pic.twitter.com/um1nn5dLO9 — Jeremy Scheuch (@jeremyscheuch) March 12, 2017

One #Royals catcher takes out another. Drew Butera slid into Salvador Perez to end the 9th. Italy and Venezuela head to extras. #wbc2017 pic.twitter.com/2FzGaoOmc0 — A Foot In The Box (@afootinthebox) March 12, 2017

Alerta! Se empata 10-10 juego entre Venezuela e Italia Salen lesionados @SalvadorPerez15 y Francisco Rodríguez @VenezuelaWBC @TD_Deportes pic.twitter.com/eHMIosoj6y — Gaby Fernandez dLara (@gabyfernandeztd) March 12, 2017

Perez had homered in the top of the inning to give Venezuela a 10-8 lead over Italy. Salvy has injured his left knee before, tearing his meniscus in 2012, causing him to miss the first half of the season.

Perez limps off field with the help of a trainer. Did not look great. pic.twitter.com/LfzKRR50fk — Joon Lee (@iamjoonlee) March 12, 2017

And Salvy limping back into the locker room. Crap. pic.twitter.com/tbDSTaNo8s — Jeremy Scheuch (@jeremyscheuch) March 12, 2017

No word on the extent of the injury, but Royals fans will be waiting with crossed fingers.

Update: Salvador Perez will get an MRI tomorrow, more will be known then.