Player News

• Royals' Lucas Erceg: Moving to high-leverage role

  28D ago • By RotoWire

  They Royals plan to use Erceg in the highest leverage spots in 2025, whether that be the ninth for a save opportunity or in the seventh inning, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Erceg gave up a run with two hits and two strikeouts in one inning during his spring debut Wednesday and reached 98.1 mph with his fastball. Erceg racked up 11 of Kansas City's 15 saves last season after the team acquired him from Oakland in July and didn't have much competition for the closer role prior to the signing of Carlos Estevez. It appears Erceg will operate as more of a late-inning fireman that receives some save opportunities while Estevez is likely to work the ninth inning with a bit more consistency.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Royals' Lucas Erceg: Snags 14th save

  09/27/2024 • By RotoWire

  Erceg earned the save in Thursday's 7-4 win over the Nationals, striking out one in a perfect ninth inning. Erceg's now converted his last six save opportunities, allowing just one earned run while striking out 13 over 10.2 innings in that span. The 29-year-old right-hander's ERA is down to 3.36 with a 1.05 WHIP and 72:16 K:BB across 61.2 innings between the A's and Royals this season.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Royals' Lucas Erceg: Secures save in extras

  09/25/2024 • By RotoWire

  Erceg picked up the save Tuesday against the Nationals, pitching a clean inning with two strikeouts. The Kansas City right-hander made quick work of Washington in the bottom of the tenth inning, firing nine strikes out of his 12 total pitches. Since joining the Royals on July 31, Erceg has been a stalwart, collecting nine saves while pitching to a 3.13 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 29:3 K:BB across 23 innings. Overall, he now sports a 3.47 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 70:16 K:BB with 12 saves over 59.2 total innings this season.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Royals' Lucas Erceg: Takes extra-inning loss

  09/18/2024 • By RotoWire

  Erceg (2-6) allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 1.2 innings, taking the extra-inning loss versus the Tigers on Tuesday. Erceg's six-inning scoreless streak came to an end as he faltered in the 10th inning after he kept the game tied in the ninth. He also ended August in rough form, but he's generally brought some stability to the Royals' bullpen since they acquired him from the Athletics. For the year, Erceg is at a 3.53 ERA, 1.11 WHIP and 68:16 K:BB while earning 11 saves, 18 holds and five blown saves over 58.2 innings.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE

• Royals' Lucas Erceg: Secures save Sunday

  09/09/2024 • By RotoWire

  Erceg allowed a hit and struck out one in a scoreless inning while earning a save against the Twins on Sunday. Erceg worked around a leadoff single by Christian Vazquez to close out the 2-0 win. After blowing two straight save chances and allowing seven runs over three appearances, Erceg has now converted three consecutive saves. He's now 11 for 16 in save opportunities with a 3.67 ERA over 54 innings. Of those 11 saves, eight have come since his Royals debut July 31.

  SEE FULL ARTICLE