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Erceg struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Friday's 7-6 win over the Mariners.
Erceg has settled back in after back-to-back blown saves in mid-April. He's allowed just one unearned run over his last five innings, picking up three saves and two wins over five appearances in that span. For the season, the right-hander has a 4.05 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 11:10 K:BB with eight saves and a hold over 13.1 innings. Erceg continues to fill in as the Royals' primary closer while Carlos Estevez (foot) works his way back to full health.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Notches extra-inning save
Rotowire
Erceg picked up a save against the Athletics on Tuesday, allowing one hit, issuing one walk and striking out one batter over one scoreless inning.
The game was tied 1-1 after nine frames, but Kansas City was able to score three runs in the top of the 10th to give Erceg the ball with a decent cushion. The right-hander didn't exactly cruise -- he retired the first two batters he faced before issuing a walk and giving up an infield single to load the bases and bring the winning run to the plate for the A's. However, Erceg was able to get Darell Hernaiz to line out to second base to end the contest. Erceg has gone 7-for-9 in save opportunities this season despite an unexciting 4.38 ERA and 10:10 K:BB through 12.1 frames, giving Kansas City a mostly reliable closer in the wake of Carlos Estevez landing on the IL due to a foot injury after just one appearance. Estevez is reportedly nearing a rehab assignment and could be back in early May, but it remains to be seen if he'll retake the closer role upon his return.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Picks up sixth save Friday
Rotowire
Erceg earned the save in Friday's 6-3 win over the Angels, surrendering one walk with two strikeouts in a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.
Erceg has had a couple rough outings this month, blowing a pair of saves while allowing multiple runs two times in nine appearances, but he's now had back-to-back clean games and is tied for fifth in the majors with his six saves. Erceg has a 5.23 ERA and 7:8 K:BB across 10.1 innings.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Blows another save Monday
Rotowire
Erceg blew the save in Monday's 7-5 loss against the Orioles. He allowed one run on a hit and three walks with no strikeouts over one inning.
Erceg entered the ninth inning with a one-run lead but was unable to secure the save, struggling with control and allowing an RBI single to Samuel Basallo that sent the game to extra innings. It marked the right-hander's second blown save in as many appearances after converting each of his first five opportunities this season. Now sporting a 6.48 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 8.1 innings, Erceg will look to get back on track while incumbent closer Carlos Estevez (foot) remains on the injured list.
Erceg (0-1) blew the save and took the loss Thursday against the Tigers. He allowed three runs on three hits and a walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning.
Erceg entered the ninth inning with a two-run lead but failed to secure the victory, as a two-out double from Riley Greene tied the game at 9-9 before Colt Keith delivered a walk-off single. Erceg had converted each of his first five save opportunities prior to Thursday, but this outing bloated his ERA from 2.70 to 6.14 and his WHIP from 1.05 to 1.50 WHIP across 7.1 innings and eight appearances. The 30-year-old stepped into the closer role after Carlos Estevez (foot) was placed on the injured list following his season debut, but with the incumbent expected to begin a rehab assignment soon, Erceg's time filling the ninth-inning role may not last much longer.
Erceg earned his fifth save the season in Saturday's 2-0 win over the White Sox, striking out one batter in a perfect ninth inning.
Erceg was brought out for the ninth to protect the Royals' two-run lead, and he needed only 12 pitches (seven strikes) to close things out for Kansas City. He is up to five saves on the year, which is tied with David Bednar and Jhoan Duran for most in the majors. Erceg has a 2.70 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 6.2 innings to open the 2026 campaign. He may not be available for Sunday's series finale, given that he pitched both Friday and Saturday.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Records fourth save Friday
Rotowire
Erceg picked up his fourth save in Friday's 2-0 win over the White Sox with a hitless and scoreless ninth inning.
Erceg needed just 10 pitches to set the White Sox down in order, generating a flyout, groundout and lineout. With Carlos Estevez (foot) on the 15-day IL and struggling badly with diminished results and velocity when healthy, Erceg appears to have a firm grasp on the Royals' closer gig. He's a perfect 4-for-4 in save opportunities and owns a 3.18 ERA and 3:2 K:BB across 5.2 innings.
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Royals' Lucas Erceg: Picks up third save
Rotowire
Erceg earned the save Monday against the Guardians, working a clean ninth inning with one strikeout.
It was the first three up, three down inning for Erceg on the season, retiring the Guardians in order to earn his third save of the year. With Carlos Estevez (foot) on the injured list, the 30-year-old has been thrust into closing duties and has been a perfect 3-for-3 on save opportunities. If Erceg continues to have success, it's possible that he could take over closer duties on a full-time basis even when Estevez comes back.
Erceg retired both batters he faced to earn the save in Wednesday's 13-9 win over the Twins.
Bailey Falter took the mound for the ninth inning when the Royals were ahead by seven runs, but he made a mess of the low-leverage spot. Erceg came in with two on and one out and worked out of trouble for his second save of the season. The right-hander is a must-have in fantasy after Carlos Estevez (foot) landed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday. Working primarily as a setup man in 2025, Erceg pitched to a 2.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 48:18 K:BB while adding two saves and 23 holds over 61.1 innings. He's shown better strikeout stuff than that in previous years, and if he pitches well in Estevez's absence, Erceg could keep the closer role for most of the season. He already has two saves and a hold over three appearances this year.
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