Royals welcome a new name to the bullpen. He recently pitched for Team Canada
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- Royals recalled right‑hander Eric Cerantola from Triple‑A Omaha to the bullpen.
- Cerantola added a cutter and has a 1.42 ERA with 18 strikeouts in Triple‑A.
- Stephen Kolek was sent back to Omaha while Cerantola prepares for his MLB debut.
There was a new uniform hanging in the Kansas City Royals’ clubhouse Wednesday.
And it was for a proud Canadian.
Prior to Wednesday’s action, the Royals called up relief pitcher Eric Cerantola from Triple-A Omaha. The burly right-hander is set to make his MLB debut at Kauffman Stadium against the Cleveland Guardians.
“You look back at, you know, all the work you put in,” Cerantola said. “And obviously, being drafted by the Royals, coming through the ranks with them, all the hard work and development that’s gone into it. It’s a really good feeling.”
The Royals selected Cerantola in the fifth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. He matriculated through the minors and pitched for Team Canada in the 2026 World Baseball Classic.
Cerantola, 26, will join the Royals’ bullpen. In a corresponding move, the club sent right-handed starter Stephen Kolek back to the Omaha Storm Chasers.
Kolek allowed three runs in six innings Tuesday. He made the spot start after lefty Noah Cameron was sidelined due to back tightness.
The Royals considered moving Kolek to the bullpen. However, the club opted to keep him stretched out as a starter.
This presented Cerantola with an opportunity. This season, he’s posted a 1.42 ERA in 12 ⅔ innings with the Storm Chasers.
“It’s exciting to see him,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “He has worked exceptionally hard. His command has really improved. He’s always had the really good breaking ball and (is) throwing a lot more strikes. He’s performed really well in Triple-A. And when you look at him, he looks like a big leaguer.
“He is an imposing guy and throws really hard. It’s really exciting for the organization to have him get up here.”
The Royals have been impressed with his recent development. Cerantola added a cutter to feature alongside a fastball and slider.
The changes have worked. Cerantola has allowed just two earned runs and recorded 18 strikeouts in 12 games. He also has five saves.
“I feel really confident in the three pitches right now,” Cerantola said. “Can throw them in any count. And that’s kind of opened up some different sequencing. And just overall, it’s created confidence.”
The Royals are currently without Carlos Estèvez in the bullpen, which has allowed fellow relievers Lucas Erceg, Matt Strahm and Daniel Lynch IV to take on bigger roles.
Erceg has 10 saves this season. Strahm and Lynch have filled other high-leverage roles.
The Royals will look to get Cerantola into games. The club has right-handers in Nick Mears, John Schreiber, Luinder Avila and Alex Lange available as well.
“I think at the end of the day, it’s just the mindset being aggressive and attacking guys,” Cerantola said.
For now, Cerantola will soak in the moment. His parents are in town for his debut. It’s a long trek from Canada but worth the journey.
One that will be remembered for a long time.
“My dad, my mom and my sister made the trip down already,” Cerantola said. “They text me they landed. So they’re going to be here and then possibly some more friends might come along.”
