Carlos Estévez - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Royals try to end 7-game road losing streak, play the Yankees

The Kansas City Royals will try to break their seven-game road losing streak in a matchup with the New York Yankees

23 HOURS AGO • Associated Press

Royals aim to break road losing streak, face the Yankees

The Kansas City Royals will look to break their six-game road slide in a matchup with the New York Yankees

1 DAY AGO • Associated Press

Royals bring 4-game losing streak into matchup with the Yankees

The Kansas City Royals head into the matchup against the New York Yankees after losing four games in a row

2 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Royals take on the Tigers looking to stop road skid

The Kansas City Royals will attempt to break their four-game road losing streak in a matchup against the Detroit Tigers

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Royals bring road slide into matchup against the Tigers

The Kansas City Royals will try to break their three-game road slide in a matchup against the Detroit Tigers

4 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Nearing rehab assignment Royals president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo said Tuesday on 96.5 The Fan that he's hopeful Estevez (foot) will be ready to begin a rehab assignment at Triple-A Omaha withi...

Impact Working his way back from a left foot contusion, Estevez resumed throwing off a mound last week and it appears he could be ready to pitch in rehab games before the end of this week. The Royals want Estevez to be healthy but also to rediscover some lost velocity, so the reliever might stay on a rehab assignment until he gets into a groove. Lucas Erceg has gone 5-for-5 in save chances for the Royals and could keep the closer job even after Estevez returns.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Tigers try to keep home win streak going, host the Royals

The Detroit Tigers host the Kansas City Royals aiming to extend a three-game home winning streak

5 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Kansas City Royals play the Chicago White Sox Saturday

The Kansas City Royals host the Chicago White Sox on Saturday

APRIL 11 • Associated Press

Royals bring 3-game losing streak into matchup with the White Sox

The Kansas City Royals look to break a three-game losing streak when they take on the Chicago White Sox

APRIL 10 • Associated Press

Throwing bullpen session Estevez (foot) will throw a bullpen session Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Estevez was placed on the 15-day injured list more than a week ago with a left foot contusion, and this appears to be the first time he's thrown off a mound since the injury. The Royals plan to eventually send Estevez out on a rehab assignment, not only to make sure he's healthy but to also give him time in a less-pressurized setting to hopefully rediscover some velocity. Lucas Erceg has been filling in as the Royals' closer and it's possible he won't relinquish the role when Estevez returns.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

White Sox bring 3-game losing streak into matchup against the Royals

The Chicago White Sox come into the matchup with the Kansas City Royals after losing three in a row

APRIL 9 • Associated Press

Guardians play the Royals in series rubber match

Both the Cleveland Guardians and the Kansas City Royals are looking for a series win with a victory on Wednesday

APRIL 8 • Associated Press

Royals square off against the Brewers in series rubber match

The Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers meet on Sunday with the three-game series tied 1-1

APRIL 5 • Associated Press

Royals take on the Brewers in first of 3-game series

The Kansas City Royals open a three-game series at home against the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday

APRIL 4 • Associated Press

Royals host the Brewers to start 3-game series

The Kansas City Royals start a three-game series at home against the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday

APRIL 3 • Associated Press

Goes on IL with foot contusion The Royals placed Estevez (foot) on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Estevez suffered a left foot contusion during an appearance Saturday in Atlanta when he was struck by a line drive. The reliever has also been dealing with velocity and delivery issues that have affected his performance, and he'll get a chance to work on those while on the IL and presumably a rehab assignment. Estevez will be eligible to return April 14, but his timetable is currently up in the air. Lucas Erceg has stepped in as closer for the Royals and should continue in that role indefinitely.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Evaluated for possible IL stint Estevez (ankle) is likely to remain unavailable to pitch in Monday's game versus the Twins and will be evaluated for a possible stint on the injured list, Anne Rogers of MLB.com re...

Impact Estevez is still sporting a walking boot on his left foot as he recovers from an ankle contusion that he suffered when struck by a line drive Saturday. X-rays came back negative, but the Royals will consider an IL stint for Estevez if he hasn't made enough improvement following Tuesday's off day. Between the ankle injury and declining velocity that dates back to spring training, Estevez's standing as the Royals' closer is on shaky ground. Lucas Erceg notched a save for Kansas City in Sunday's win over Atlanta but could be unavailable Monday since he's pitched back-to-back days. Matt Strahm has also pitched each of the previous two days, so the Royals might have limited bullpen options Monday.

MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE

Seth Lugo throws 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Royals beat Braves 4-1 for their 1st win of the season

Seth Lugo pitched 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Carter Jensen homered to lead the Kansas City Royals to a 4-1 win over the Atlanta Braves

MARCH 29 • Associated Press

Unlikely to be used Sunday Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that he would be "surprised" if Estevez is available out of the bullpen for Sunday's game in Atlanta, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact Estevez was seen wearing a walking boot Sunday after taking a line drive off his left ankle Saturday, when he suffered a blown save after allowing six earned runs while recording just one out in the Royals' 6-2 loss. Though Estevez been diagnosed with nothing more than a contusion after getting X-rays on his ankle, the Royals appear content to stay away from the 33-year-old reliever, at least for one day. Per Joel Goldberg of Bally Sports Kansas City, Quatraro added that he's not "averse to putting [Estevez] in a lower-leverage situation" once he's deemed available, which suggests that the right-hander may not have a stranglehold on the closer's gig after Saturday's blowup. Before the rough showing in his season debut, Estevez was coming off a discouraging spring training in which he noticed a steep decline in his velocity.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

X-rays negative on ankle Estevez had X-rays come back negative on his left ankle after being struck by a comebacker during Saturday's loss to Atlanta, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

Impact The right-hander blew the save in his season debut Saturday, surrendering six runs on four hits and two walks in one-third of an inning. With the X-rays returning negative, the injury is now a secondary concern for the Royals and Estevez, who averaged just 91.2 mph with his fastball, down nearly five ticks from last season. The horrid outing doubled his worst performance from 2025, in which he gave up three runs. Estevez will likely have some leash as Kansas City's closer after recording 45 saves with a 2.45 ERA last year, but that leash is likely to be shorter if he's struggling with both ineffectiveness and down velocity.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Royals have a Carlos Estevez problem | Sporting News Kansas City could be in trouble if this keeps up.

MARCH 29 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Implodes in season debut Estevez (0-1) took the loss and a blown save Saturday against Atlanta, allowing six runs on four hits and two walks in one-third of an inning.

Impact It was a nightmarish season debut for Estevez, who failed to protect a two-run lead in the ninth inning. After showing diminished velocity during spring training, the right-hander's fastball topped out at 92.3 mph Saturday over his 23 pitches, which appears to be a major concern after he averaged 95.9 mph on his four-seamer last season. There's still time for him to find his form as Kansas City's closer, but the Royals have capable alternatives in Lucas Erceg and Matt Strahm if Estevez can't steady the ship.

MARCH 29 • ROTOWIRE

Dominic Smith hits walk-off grand slam as Braves rally past Royals 6-2

Dominic Smith hit a walk-off grand slam and the Atlanta Braves stunned the Kansas City Royals with a six-run ninth inning in a 6-2 victory on Saturday night

MARCH 29 • Associated Press

Velocity still down Estevez allowed no hits and three walks with no strikeouts across a scoreless inning in Wednesday's Cactus League loss to the Rangers.

Impact Estevez made his return to Cactus League play after tossing an inning for the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic and didn't allow a run, though the outing was far from sharp. The right-hander entered in the sixth inning and promptly walked the first two batters he faced on nine pitches, eventually loading the bases via free passes before inducing a weak groundout from Jake Burger to escape the frame unscathed. As was the case in his earlier spring appearances, Estevez's velocity remained significantly down, with his fastball averaging 89.0 mph after sitting at 95.9 mph last season, while his offspeed offerings were also down several ticks. The veteran is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he recorded a career-high and league-best 42 saves with a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 54:22 K:BB across 67 outings and is in line to handle closing duties for the Royals again in 2026, though his diminished velocity is a key factor to monitor moving forward.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Velocity down early Estevez's fastball has averaged just 89 mph in his first two appearances of spring training, Thomas Nestico of TJStats.ca reports.

Impact A pitcher showing reduced velocity early in camp is hardly unique, but the fact that Estevez's fastball is down nearly seven mph from his 2025 average is notable. The right-hander led MLB with a career-high 42 saves during the 2025 regular season while finishing with a 2.45 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 54:22 K:BB across 67 outings. There's been no indication of an injury to this point, but fantasy managers should keep an eye on Estevez's velocity as he continues to build up during spring training.

MARCH 1 • ROTOWIRE

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Royals try to end 7-game road losing streak, play the Yankees

Royals aim to break road losing streak, face the Yankees

Royals bring 4-game losing streak into matchup with the Yankees

Royals take on the Tigers looking to stop road skid

Royals bring road slide into matchup against the Tigers

Tigers try to keep home win streak going, host the Royals

Kansas City Royals play the Chicago White Sox Saturday

Royals bring 3-game losing streak into matchup with the White Sox

White Sox bring 3-game losing streak into matchup against the Royals

Guardians play the Royals in series rubber match

Royals square off against the Brewers in series rubber match

Royals take on the Brewers in first of 3-game series

Royals host the Brewers to start 3-game series

Seth Lugo throws 6 1/3 scoreless innings and Royals beat Braves 4-1 for their 1st win of the season

Dominic Smith hits walk-off grand slam as Braves rally past Royals 6-2