Royals manager Matt Quatraro said Thursday that Estevez has not appeared in a Cactus League game yet due to mild lower-back tightness, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez was able to throw off a mound Wednesday and felt good. Quatraro believes there's still plenty of time for Estevez to appear in "6-to-7 outings later in camp." Signed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract in January, Estevez is the perceived favorite to serve as the Royals' closer. If Estevez is not physically ready or the Royals want to go in another direction at closer, Lucas Erceg would be the next man up.

Estevez agreed to a two-year, $20.2 million contract with the Royals on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

The deal also reportedly features a $13 million club option for 2027 with a $2 million buyout. Estevez is coming off the best year of his career, finishing 2024 with a 2.45 ERA and 0.91 WHIP through 55 regular-season innings while converting 26 saves between the Angels and Phillies. Now in Kansas City, the 32-year-old righty is likely to take over as the Royals' primary closer, which would push Lucas Erceg into a setup role.

Estevez earned the save against the Mets on Saturday, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez was summoned to protect a 6-4 lead in the ninth and worked around a leadoff single to secure his sixth save with the Phillies. The 31-year-old has yielded just four earned runs in 17 appearances since being traded while continuing to see the bulk of ninth-inning opportunities. On the year, he is 26-for-31 in save chances with a 2.22 ERA, 0.82 WHIP and 48:9 K:BB across 52.2 innings.

Estevez gave up a hit in a scoreless ninth inning Wednesday to record his 25th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander bounced back from a blown save Monday, firing seven of 10 pitches for strikes to set down the bottom of Tampa Bay's order. Estevez has blown two of seven save chances since joining the Phillies at the trade deadline, but over 17.2 innings for his new squad he's posted a stellar 2.04 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 16:4 K:BB. He's the primary ninth-inning option for Rob Thomson, although the team's deep bullpen gives the manager plenty of alternatives against specific matchups, or when Estevez needs a breather.

Estevez (4-4) blew the save but picked up the win in Monday's 2-1 victory against the Rays, giving up one run on two hits in the ninth inning. He struck out one.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez entered with a 1-0 lead in the ninth and immediately gave up a game-tying home run to pinch hitter Brandon Lowe. It's the second time since joining the Phillies that Estevez blows a save but still grabs the win. The 31-year-old has only allowed four earned runs since being traded late in July. Estevez has a 2.16 ERA with three wins and four saves in 16.2 innings with Philadelphia.

Estevez earned the save in Wednesday's 4-2 win over Toronto. He issued one walk while striking out a pair in a scoreless ninth inning.

EDGE Analysis

It's the sixth straight scoreless appearance for Estevez, who's allowed just two hits while striking out six in that span (seven innings). Estevez's ERA is down to a pristine 2.17 with a 0.79 WHIP and 48:9 K:BB across 49.2 innings between the Phillies and Angels this season. He's converted 24 of 28 save chances.

Estevez allowed a hit and struck out two over a scoreless inning to earn the save in Saturday's 3-0 win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez didn't receive Philadelphia's last save chance, which went to Jeff Hoffman on Thursday. Hoffman handled the eighth inning Saturday against the top of Atlanta's lineup while Estevez worked through the heart of the lineup in the ninth. Estevez has allowed five runs (three earned) over 12.2 innings while earning three saves across 12 appearances since he was traded from the Angels. He now has a 2.31 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 44:8 K:BB with 23 saves in 27 chances this year. Manager Rob Thomson looks to be sticking with a committee approach to closing, with Estevez, Hoffman and Jose Alvarado all in the mix for high-leverage spots.

Estevez allowed a hit and a walk in a scoreless inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

This was the fifth time in nine appearances with the Phillies that Estevez has allowed multiple baserunners, but he was able to avoid giving up a run this time. Wednesday was also his first outing since he blew a save versus the Nationals last Friday. Estevez is up to 22 saves on the year, but he's earned just two of them since he was traded from the Angels to the Phillies. He's added a 2.47 ERA, 0.85 WHIP and 42:8 K:BB through 43.2 innings this year. Estevez appears to have the edge over Jeff Hoffman and Jose Alvarado for save chances, as neither of those relievers has logged a save in August, though Philadelphia hasn't generated many opportunities this month.

Estevez (2-4) blew the save but picked up the win in Friday's 3-2 victory over the Nationals, giving up two runs on three hits in the ninth inning. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

The right-hander entered the game with Philadelphia ahead 2-0, but he gave up three straight singles to open the ninth before a Jacob Young fielder's choice tied it up. Estevez was able to right the ship and get off the mound without any further damage, and Trea Turner then walked it off in the bottom of the frame. Estevez has been effective since coming over from the Angels at the trade deadline, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 10:2 K:BB through 8.2 innings, but he has only one win and one save in eight appearances.

Estevez picked up the save over the Diamondbacks on Thursday, allowing one run on two hits over one inning while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

Estevez entered the game with a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth inning and surrendered a leadoff single to Geraldo Perdomo before fanning the next two batters. The recently acquired reliever would then cough up an RBI single to Jake McCarthy, but Estevez went on to retire the final batter for his 22nd save of the season and his first in a Phillies uniform. It marked the first earned run charged to Estevez since May 20 when he was still an Angel, and he's recorded at least one strikeout in each of his last four appearances.