KANSAS CITY, Mo.—The Kansas City Royals tonight announced a two-year contract with right-handed pitcher Carlos Estévez (es-TEH-vez). The deal also includes a club option for 2027. In a corresponding move, the Royals designated infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment.
Estévez, 32, recorded a career-best 2.45 ERA (15 ER in 55.0 IP) in 54 appearances last season with the Angels (34 games) and Phillies (20). He converted 20 saves with Los Angeles before being acquired on July 27 by Philadelphia, where he recorded 3 wins and 6 saves in 21.0 innings.
He was an American League All-Star with the Angels in 2023, when he recorded a 3.90 ERA (27 ER in 62.1 IP), a career-high 31 saves in 63 appearances and an 11.3 K/9 (78 K in 62.1 IP).
Estévez’s 57 saves over the last two seasons (2023-24) rank 9th in the Majors.