Kansas City Royals president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo shared an injury update.
The Kansas City Royals received a positive update regarding their bullpen on Wednesday, as the club continues to navigate the early portion of the season without its All-Star closer, Carlos Estevez.
Estevez has been sidelined on the 15-day injured list with a bruised left foot, an injury suffered during his disastrous first and only outing of the year. In that appearance against the Atlanta Braves, Estevez recorded just one out, allowed six runs, blew the save and took the loss. It was a rough start for a pitcher the Royals rely on heavily, and the injury only added to the concern. Fortunately, it appears Estevez is preparing for a return to the mound where he hopes to get back on track after an update from Royasl president of baseball operations J.J. Picollo.
“JJ Picollo tells us that Carlos Estevez is hoping to start a rehab assignment in Omaha in the next five days,” reported Cody Tapp of the Cody and Gold show on 96.5 The Fan. For a bullpen that has been stretched thin, the update is a significant step forward.
While the foot injury is healing, the Royals will also be watching Estevez’s velocity closely during his rehab work. Even before the injury, his fastball had dipped noticeably, which was concerning given how important his power profile is to his success. Regaining that velocity will be a major focus as he ramps back up.
Still, getting Estevez back in any capacity will be huge for Kansas City. He may not immediately return to the closer role once activated, but he can still be a valuable late-inning option as he works his way back to form. Estevez is in the final guaranteed year of his two-year, $22 million contract, though the Royals hold a team option for next season.
Last year, Estevez was everything Kansas City needed him to be. In his first season with the Royals, he earned an All-Star selection and led MLB with 42 saves. He posted a 2.45 ERA with 54 strikeouts in 66 innings while limiting hard contact at an elite rate. That performance helped stabilize the bullpen and played a major role in the Royals’ push for the MLB playoffs.
Now in his tenth MLB season, the 33-year-old has previously pitched for the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels and Philadelphia Phillies before landing in Kansas City. The Royals know how important he is to their long-term plans, and getting him back healthy is one of the biggest keys to their push for October baseball.