When Royals pitcher Jason Adam stepped onto a major-league mound for the first time, he stared toward home plate to receive the signs from his catcher. Crouched behind a Detroit Tigers hitter, Salvador Perez wiggled four fingers toward the ground.
A changeup.
The sign initially surprised Adam, who had spent the first month of the season in the minor leagues, just two pitches comprising his options there. In 12 minor-league appearances, Adam estimates he threw his fastball and curveball in all but three total pitches.
But as he saw Perez’s four digits, Adam simply nodded. The ensuing pitch had life.