Kansas City Royals manager Matt Quatraro made a decision following an injury to closing pitcher Carlos Estevez.
The Kansas City Royals may already be facing a significant bullpen shakeup just days into the 2026 season following a concerning development involving their closer.
Carlos Estevez entered the year as one of the most reliable ninth‑inning arms in baseball, but his season debut quickly raised red flags. Not only did he struggle on the mound, but he also exited with an injury that could impact his availability moving forward.
Estevez had a disastrous season debut on Saturday, allowing six runs and blowing a save opportunity against the Atlanta Braves. The situation worsened when he was struck by a line drive on the ankle.
By Sunday morning, he was seen wearing a walking boot and scheduled for further evaluation. Manager Matt Quatraro acknowledged the concern, saying he would be surprised if Estevez was available and added that he is considering moving him out of the closer role. "I'm not going to say he wouldn't do it, but I also think would be probably smarter for us to try to build him a little bit in lower leverage first," Quatraro admitted (h/t Anne Rogers of MLB.com).
Later that day, when a save opportunity arose, Quatraro decided to turn to Lucas Erceg instead of Estevez, and Erceg converted the save in Kansas City’s first win of the season.
The ankle injury is an immediate concern, but it is not the only issue surrounding Estevez. His velocity had already been trending downward throughout spring training and continued to dip in his season debut. For a pitcher who relies heavily on his power arsenal, that loss of velocity could significantly impact his effectiveness.
This is a stark contrast to what Estevez delivered last season. In his first year with Kansas City after signing a two‑year, $22.2 million contract, he led MLB with 42 saves. He also posted a 2.45 ERA with 54 strikeouts across 66 innings, establishing himself as one of the league’s top closers.
Now, the Royals may need to pivot, at least temporarily. Erceg appears to be the most logical replacement. The right‑hander proved his reliability in 2025, posting a 2.64 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 61 1/3 innings over 61 appearances. His ability to handle high‑leverage situations makes him a strong candidate to step into the role.
Quatraro now faces a key decision in the coming days. Whether this is a short‑term adjustment or a longer‑term change will depend on Estevez’s health and his ability to regain his form.