Royals Concerned Over $22M Closer's Disastrous Start

Carlos Estevez's 162.00 ERA and velocity drop raise alarm bells in Kansas City

Mar. 30, 2026 at 6:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A fragmented, geometric painting depicting a baseball pitcher's throwing motion, with sharp planes of royal blue, powder blue, and white representing the chaotic nature of the Royals' closer situation.A cubist interpretation of a struggling closer's delivery highlights the Royals' concerns over their $22 million reliever.Kansas City Today

The Kansas City Royals are facing early-season concerns over their $22 million closer Carlos Estevez, who had a disastrous outing against the Atlanta Braves in which he blew a 2-0 lead in the 9th inning by giving up 6 runs, including a walk-off grand slam. Estevez's velocity has dropped significantly from last season, down to an average of 91.2 mph, raising questions about his effectiveness going forward.

Why it matters

Estevez was the Royals' top closer last season, recording 42 saves. His struggles this early in the season are a major concern, as the Royals will need reliable late-inning pitching to compete in the AL Central. The team may have to consider alternative closer options if Estevez's velocity and performance don't improve.

The details

In the Royals' 6-2 loss to the Braves, Estevez entered the 9th inning with a 2-0 lead but promptly gave up 6 runs, including a walk-off grand slam to Dominic Smith. Estevez's fastball velocity averaged just 91.2 mph, down significantly from his 95.9 mph average in 2025. This dramatic drop in velocity is a major red flag for the Royals, who signed Estevez to a 3-year, $22 million contract in the offseason.

  • The Royals' loss to the Braves occurred on March 30, 2026, the second game of the season.
  • Estevez's velocity concerns were noted during Spring Training prior to the 2026 season.

The players

Carlos Estevez

The Royals' $22 million closer who led the majors with 42 saves in 2025 but has seen a significant drop in velocity to start the 2026 season.

Dominic Smith

The Braves' slugger who hit a walk-off grand slam off Estevez in the 9th inning to hand the Royals a 6-2 loss.

David Schoenfield

An ESPN writer who highlighted Estevez's struggles and the Royals' concerns about their closer going forward.

Lucas Erceg

A potential closer replacement option for the Royals if Estevez continues to struggle.

Matt Strahm

Another potential closer replacement option for the Royals if Estevez cannot turn his season around.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“The biggest concern, however, is Carlos Estevez of the Kansas City Royals, who led the majors with 42 saves last season but had an all-time stinker on Saturday.”

— David Schoenfield, ESPN Writer

“Estevez's velocity was down in spring training, and his fastball averaged just 91.2 mph against the Braves, down from 95.9 mph last year. That's a significant velocity drop.”

— David Schoenfield, ESPN Writer

What’s next

The Royals will need to closely monitor Estevez's velocity and performance in his next few outings. If the issues persist, they may need to consider turning to alternative closer options like Lucas Erceg, Matt Strahm, or John Schreiber.

The takeaway

Estevez's dramatic drop in velocity and disastrous first outing have raised major red flags for the Royals, who are relying on him to anchor their bullpen. If he cannot regain his form from last season, the Royals may be forced to explore other options at closer, putting their playoff hopes in jeopardy.