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The Kansas City Royals could get their closer back in the bullpen soon after a positive run for the relievers over the last road trip.<\/p>\n
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Right-handed pitcher Carlos Est\u00e9vez is anticipating to start his rehab assignment Tuesday with the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers on the road against Indianapolis, the Royals announced Monday.<\/p>\n
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Est\u00e9vez was placed on the injury list on April 1 with a foot contusion after being hit by a line drive in the season-opening series against the Atlanta Braves. He\u2019s pitched three live batting sessions at the team\u2019s facilities in Arizona, Royals manager Matt Quatraro told reporters.<\/p>\n
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Est\u00e9vez came into the season with velocity concerns<\/a> since he was only reaching up to 90 mph consistently in spring training. Those concerns were exacerbated when he blew a save against the Braves<\/a> in his only outing so far this season.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n He experienced a similar buildup last year, which ended with a league-leading 42 saves and his second All-Star selection. General manager J.J. Picollo has preached patience with the 33-year-old right-hander.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIf he looks like he\u2019s still maybe a little bit of like a rehab-type of setting, but good enough to come help our team, maybe we ease him into that. But that\u2019s something we want to discuss as this week progresses, and we see how he\u2019s throwing,\u201d Picollo said.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s got the ability to get people out if he\u2019s not 95 or better. So we\u2019ve got to trust his history. And again, a lot of it just comes down to executing pitches. If he\u2019s executing pitches at 93, that\u2019s going to be good enough to pitch in the big leagues.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n KC\u2019s bullpen has trended up of late, following a slow start to 2026.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Over KC\u2019s recent six-game road trip against the Oakland A\u2019s and Seattle Mariners, the bullpen recorded a 1.77 ERA and saved all four wins, including two extra-inning games where the automatic runner failed to score.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Lucas Erceg has grown into the closer role. His nine saves are tied for most in the American League. Picollo noted lefty Daniel Lynch IV has been a boost to the shuffling bullpen; he got his first save of the season (and third of his career) Sunday.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They\u2019ll be needed as the 15-19 Royals host two division rivals in the Cleveland Guardians (18-17) and Detroit Tigers (18-17) with a chance to flip the AL Central early in the season. If Est\u00e9vez returns soon, it will be a good problem for the Royals to have to reorganize the bullpen with another leader in the mix.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cCarlos has a big presence we missed in spring training when he was at the (World Baseball Classic). There\u2019s a lot of personality there. There\u2019s leadership there,\u201d Picollo said. \u201cI think Carlos has the ability to keep things light down there, help guys prepare and keep guys on their toes. So when they\u2019re ready, when the phone rings for them, they\u2019re ready to go. So yeah, that\u2019ll be a big addition for us.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n