Carlos Estévez had career 2025 with Royals. What’s next for KC’s bullpen in 2026?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Royals return closer Carlos Estévez and core relievers, cementing late-inning stability.
- Team added veterans Alex Lange, Matt Strahm and Nick Mears to deepen bullpen experience.
- Left-handed depth and final rotation competition will shape roles before 2026 start.
The Kansas City Royals made a bold decision to strengthen their bullpen in 2025.
They signed Carlos Estévez to a two-year contract one year ago. He arrived as the top closer on the free-agent market. The Royals were building a dominant tandem in Estévez and flamethrower Lucas Erceg.
Estévez lived up to his top billing. The right-hander led Major League Baseball with 42 saves and was named a 2025 American League All-Star. Along the way, he helped transform KC’s bullpen into one of the best in the league.
“He’s an absolute stud,” Royals starting pitcher Michael Wacha said in September. “He’s been great for us since day one. He’s a true stopper out there.
“He has that knack for shutting the door and, you know, not giving up anything. It’s a good feeling as a starter knowing that you’ve got some nasty guys in the (bullpen) — definitely having Estévez there to shut the door and bring it home.”
Estévez is back for a second year with the Royals. He will be joined again by the right-handed Erceg — who thrived in the fireman’s role in 2025 — and John Schreiber for high-leverage situations. The Royals also return left-hander Daniel Lynch IV and emerging standout Steven Cruz.
KC added three new veterans to the mix this offseason. Alex Lange — who attended nearby Lee Summit West High School — Matt Strahm and Nick Mears are new faces in the bullpen. The trio brings a wealth of MLB experience and should provide valuable depth.
There are not a lot of holes in the Royals’ bullpen as spring training approaches — pitchers and catchers report to Surprise, Arizona, on Feb. 9. The Kansas City relief corps enters with the majority of its late-innings squad intact.
Here’s what to know about Royals’ relief pitchers ahead of the 2026 season:
Will the Royals add another left-handed specialist?
The Royals lost southpaw relievers Angel Zerpa and Sam Long this offseason. Zerpa was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers and Long departed in free agency.
Both held key roles in the bullpen. They allowed Royals manager Matt Quatraro to counter opposing lineups in various tense situations. Now, the Royals will rely on Lynch and Strahm to carry the load.
KC is thin behind Lynch and Strahm for left-handers on the 40-man roster. It’s possible the front office decides to add someone before spring training. It’s imperative to have quality lefties as depth pieces and to offset injuries.
The Royals could convert some of their starting pitchers into long-relief help. One name to watch is left-hander Bailey Falter. He has some experience working in the bullpen, having made appearances with the Royals in 2025, and is still under contract.
The Royals are well-stocked with starting pitchers. Falter has a career 4.58 ERA and could carve out a hybrid role with his ability to pitch multiple innings. The Royals also have a left-hander in Noah Cameron, but he’ll most likely occupy a spot in the starting rotation.
The question is whether the Royals will decide to carry two left-handed relievers or three. And that will not be decided until the regular season nears.
What will the Royals do with their starting pitching depth?
Multiple Royals pitchers are looking to crack the starting rotation this spring. The club has one open spot behind veteran starters Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Kris Bubic.
Cameron impressed with a 2.99 ERA in 24 starts last season. He earned a fourth-place finish in AL Rookie of the Year voting and enters 2026 with momentum.
He’ll likely face an adjustment period this season. Opposing teams are now familiar with Cameron and what he brings to the table. But the Royals will give him every opportunity to win that last spot in the rotation.
Others to consider as possible starters include Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila. Each member of this trio is a young hurler with high upside.
The Royals acquired Bergert and Kolek from the San Diego Padres. They pitched well last year as KC dealt with injuries to Ragans, Bubic and Lugo.
Avila, meanwhile, fared well in a limited bullpen stint. He posted a 1.29 ERA in 13 appearances last season. The Royals view him as a starter, but he also has experience pitching in a variety of relief roles.
The Royals will likely keep their starters stretched out this spring. Those who don’t win the final spot in the rotation could then be headed to Triple-A Omaha. That would enable them to pitch as starters and remain ready should an injury occur at the big-league level.
It’s important to note that Cameron, Bergert, Kolek and Avila have minor-league options remaining. They can move freely back and forth between Kansas City and Omaha. However, Falter is without a minor-league option and will need to play his way onto the opening day roster.
Where does James McArthur stand these days?
Right-handed pitcher James McArthur missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing right-elbow surgery.
He was a vital part of the Royals in 2024, logging 18 saves in 56 2/3 innings while helping them reach the postseason.
McArthur hopes to resume on-field activities this spring. He began a throwing program this offseason and is progressing toward a return.
The Royals will likely bring McArthur along slowly following his long layoff.
Can any non-roster invitees make the opening day roster?
Spring training is all about opportunity. And yes, the Royals will head to Surprise, Arizona with a few non-roster invitees who could make some noise.
Pitcher Jose Cuas is back in the Royals organization. He hasn’t thrown in the majors since 2024, but he is very familiar with the KC pitching staff. Cuas posted a 4.08 ERA across 92 previous appearances with the club.
Aaron Sanchez and Hector Neris, meanwhile, are hoping to showcase their own talent.
Sanchez hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022. But he looked solid in the Dominican Winter League, compiling a 1.55 ERA. He has big-league experience with five teams in his eight MLB seasons.
Neris won a World Series with the Houston Astros in 2022. He is a 12-year major-league veteran with a career 3.47 ERA. The Royals were drawn to his strikeout ability — which guided his early success — and there is a chance he can return to form with them this year
The Royals have found success with non-roster invitees in recent years. Guys like Long and Taylor Clarke made their mark in the bullpen.
It’s possible that Neris or Sanchez could find his way to Kansas City in 2026.
Bold prediction: Royals have two All-Star relievers
The Royals could contend for the AL’s best bullpen. They have enough experience to support two All-Star relievers.
Estévez has made two All-Star teams in the last three seasons. And Strahm, the former-and-now-again Royal, was a 2024 National League All-Star in 2024. Both pitchers will have ample chances to produce in the back end of the bullpen.
Still, Erceg is the name to watch. He had a 2.64 ERA in 61 games last year and possesses all the tools to be a breakout star this season.
Jaylon Thompson’s Royals bullpen projection
RHP Carlos Estévez
RHP Lucas Erceg
LHP Matt Strahm
RHP John Schreiber
RHP Alex Lange
RHP Nick Mears
RHP Steven Cruz
LHP Daniel Lynch IV