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• Royals' Carlos Estevez: Makes spring debut

  6D ago • By RotoWire

  Estevez (back) made his first appearance of spring training Friday, giving up one unearned run and two hits over an inning. "I feel great," Estevez told MLB.com. "Everything is going well with my body, and I'm in a good spot. For me, it usually takes me three, maybe four outings to say, 'OK, this is it, this is the point I want to be at.'" Estevez has been slowed in camp by lower-back tightness, but the Royals say they are confident he'll be ready for Opening Day. He'll make six appearances between major-league and minor-league games barring any setbacks before spring training ends, according to MLB.com. Estevez is expected to be the primary closer for the Royals, with Lucas Erceg also getting some save chances.

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• Royals' Carlos Estevez: Slated for Cactus League debut

  8D ago • By RotoWire

  Estevez (back) is scheduled to make his Cactus League debut Friday against the Angels, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Estevez has been slowed in camp by lower-back tightness but has been throwing off a mound without issue for several days and is nearly ready to test himself in a game setting. The 32-year-old is expected to have enough time to get ready for Opening Day and projects to begin the season as the Royals' closer.

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• Royals' Carlos Estevez: Live BP on tap

  11D ago • By RotoWire

  Estevez (back) is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session Tuesday before potentially making his Cactus League debut Friday against the Angels, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. The veteran right-hander has been brought along slowly during the first half of camp due to lower-back tightness, but he's now ramping up his throwing program and is on the cusp of game action. Assuming everything goes well this week, Estevez should be able to make a few spring appearances and be ready for Opening Day. After recording 57 saves over the prior two seasons between the Angels and Phillies, Estevez is expected to begin the season as the Royals' closer.

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• Royals' Carlos Estevez: Nursing lower-back tightness

  21D ago • By RotoWire

  Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Estevez has not appeared in a Cactus League game yet due to mild lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Estevez was able to throw off a mound Wednesday and felt good. Quatraro believes there's still plenty of time for Estevez to appear in "6-to-7 outings later in camp." Signed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract in January, Estevez is the perceived favorite to serve as the Royals' closer. If Estevez is not physically ready or the Royals want to go in another direction at closer, Lucas Erceg would be the next man up.

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• Royals' Carlos Estevez: Signing with Kansas City

  01/30/2025 • By RotoWire

  Estevez agreed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract with the Royals on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. The deal also reportedly features a $13 million club option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. Estevez is coming off the best year of his career, finishing 2024 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 55 regular-season innings while converting 26 saves between the Angels and Phillies. Now in Kansas City, the 32-year-old righty is likely to take over as the Royals' primary closer, which would push Lucas Erceg into a setup role.

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