Lucas Erceg Fantasy Stats

Kansas City Royals right-handed reliever Lucas Erceg has by no means been excellent at the back end of the team's bullpen so far in 2026, but he remains the best option for saves with veteran right-hander Carlos Estevez (foot, shoulder) still sidelined. Erceg blew his third save of 2026 on May 15 against the St. Louis Cardinals, but he rebounded with his 11th save (tied for sixth in the majors) on May 17 against the Cardinals, throwing a scoreless inning with one walk. The 31-year-old former second-round pick by the Milwaukee Brewers in 2016 out of Menlo College has been more reliable in May as well, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits while walking three and striking out seven for a win, four saves, and one blown save. His most recent save against St. Louis was his first save since May 5. Overall, Erceg has a 3-1 record, 3.26 ERA (3.37 FIP), 1.45 WHIP, 11 saves, 17 strikeouts, and 13 walks in 19 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. He should deserve more waiver-wire consideration -- he's rostered in 60% of Yahoo leagues -- and he could even continue to pick up save chances when Estevez comes off the injured list.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg has established himself as his team's closer so far this season, recording a 3.31 ERA and 1.41 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 10 saves across 16 1/3 innings (17 games). Erceg has gotten hot in recent weeks, as he's gone eight straight appearances without allowing an earned run. On the other hand, Erceg's underlying numbers offer some cause for alarm. The 31-year-old currently owns a 17.9% walk rate and is benefitting from a .268 opponent batting average on balls in play that sits well below his career mark of .307. Erceg does not generate whiffs like a typical closer either, as he's recorded 20.9% strikeout rate so far this season and struck out just 19.3% of the batters he faced in 2025. Erceg appears to be secure in the ninth-inning role in Kansas City for now, which makes him roster-worthy across all fantasy formats. Still, fantasy managers should proceed with caution, as Erceg's profile does not point to sustained dominance.

Kansas City Royals right-hander Lucas Erceg picked up two saves over the weekend during the Royals' road trip to Seattle to take on the Mariners. On the season, Erceg has now racked up nine saves in 11 save opportunities, all while posting a 3.77 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, and 13 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings pitched with 10 walks allowed. Since a few bumps in the road on April 16 at Detroit and April 20 versus Baltimore, where in those two outings he allowed four earned runs on 1 2/3 innings pitched while blowing two save opportunities in a row, Erceg has been lights out in every other appearance. Four of the six earned runs that Erceg has allowed this season came in those two outings. Erceg appears to have a firm grip on this closer role and ranks second in MLB in total saves with nine, remaining a must-start in all formats, especially while Carlos Estevez (foot) remains sidelined.

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg worked around one walk and one hit on Tuesday, ultimately delivering a scoreless ninth inning and earning the save against the Athletics. He struck out one batter along the way and threw strikes at a 60.9% clip. Erceg has taken over as the Royals' primary closer after Carlos Estevez struggled and simultaneously landed on the injured list with a left foot contusion. Erceg hit a little rough patch in the middle of April, but otherwise, he's been quite effective. He has zero earned runs over his last four outings, and he has a total of seven saves across 13 games (12.1 innings) this year. He has both a strikeout and walk rate of 7.30 per nine, which is far from ideal. However, on a more promising note, he still hasn't allowed a homer, and he owns an encouraging 56.3% ground ball rate. Erceg remains an effective fantasy baseball option with a pretty firm grasp on the closer role in Kansas City.

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg worked around a walk to deliver a scoreless ninth inning against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday. He finished with one walk, zero hits, zero runs, and two strikeouts over one inning, and he earned the save after preserving the Royals' three-run lead. It was a much-needed bounce-back game from Erceg, who had allowed four runs and five walks over his previous 2.2 innings of work. The 30-year-old is now up to six saves this season after taking over the primary closer role from Carlos Estevez (ankle). Walks have been an issue for the righty (6.97 BB/9), but his ground ball rate is up to 64.7%, and he still hasn't allowed a home run. As it stands, Erceg ranks as the #32 reliever in RotoBaller expert Nick Mariano's latest rest-of-season fantasy baseball rankings. He's an intriguing waiver wire target, given that he doesn't face much competition for saves at the moment.

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg came into a 1-0 game in the ninth inning on Monday night, but he wasn't able to close out the Orioles, who eventually won 7-5 in extra innings. Erceg walked three batters and gave up an RBI single to Samuel Basallo that tied the game. After earning five saves in his first five chances, Erceg has blown back-to-back opportunities and has a very tenuous hold on the closer role. If the Royals were to go with another option, Matt Strahm and Daniel Lynch IV could get chances while they wait for the return of regular closer Carlos Estevez, who could begin a rehab assignment soon. Erceg still has potential if he gets a few more chances, but he's no longer an option you have to hold if other closers are available.

Kansas City Royals closer Lucas Erceg had converted five straight save chances before his last appearance on Thursday this past week, when he allowed three earned runs on three hits and one walk, blowing the save opportunity and taking the loss to the Tigers. Before that, the right-hander had not allowed a run in six of seven appearances, but after Thursday's collapse, his ERA now stands at 6.14 with a 1.50 WHIP and a 6.7 percent K-BB%. The 30-year-old has pitched well for the Royals over the last two years, but saw a significant drop-off in strikeout rate between 2024 and 2025, from 28.5 percent to 19.3 percent. It has fallen even more this season, currently standing at 16.7 percent. Fantasy managers won't argue with collecting five saves so far, but with diminishing strikeouts and regular closer Carlos Estevez (foot) beginning a rehab assignment this week, Erceg's handle on the role is becoming somewhat tenuous.

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg picked up his third save of the season on Monday, pitching a perfect ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 4-2 win over the Cleveland Guardians. Across 4 2/3 innings pitched in 2026, the 30-year-old has allowed five hits, two earned runs, and two walks while recording three strikeouts. While Erceg's numbers don't scream dominance, he has been effective since taking over the Kansas City closer job from Carlos Estevez (foot). Estevez is currently on the 15-day injured list with a foot injury that is not expected to cause him to miss significant time. However, Estevez struggled mightily in both Spring Training and his lone 2026 regular season appearance before being placed on the IL. Erceg profiles as a must-start reliever in the short term for fantasy managers, and could end up holding the ninth-inning role in Kansas City for the remainder of the year.

Kansas City Royals reliever Lucas Erceg has converted both save opportunities while posting a 1.13 WHIP and one strikeout across 2 2/3 scoreless innings in 2026. The Royals placed closer Carlos Estevez (foot) on the 15-day injured list with a foot contusion. Estevez had velocity concerns heading into the year and was lit up for six earned runs in only one appearance this season. With Estevez on the injured list, Erceg has locked down Kansas City's closer role and becomes a must-add off the waiver wire for fantasy managers searching for saves. The 30-year-old was terrific last season, owning a 2.64 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 48:18 K :BB with two saves and 23 holds over 61 1/3 innings for the Royals last season. Erceg is rostered in 51% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is currently third on RotoBaller's Week 2 waiver wire rankings.

Kansas City Royals relief pitcher Lucas Erceg earned his second save of the season on Wednesday night by closing out the Twins in the Royals' 13-9 win at Kauffman Stadium. Erceg didn't start the ninth inning, since his team had a seven-run lead, but after Bailey Falter allowed three runs, bringing the tying run to the on-deck circle, Erceg shut down the rally by retiring Austin Martin and James Outman. Erceg has a hold and two saves in his three games this season, allowing two hits but no runs with one strikeout. He should be secure in his role as the Royals' closer in the short-term while Carlos Est vez (foot) is on the 15-day injured list. Estevez suffered a drop in velocity and struggled early this season after a career-high 42 saves last year. At least for now, the job is Erceg's to claim, making him a great early-season snag from the waiver wire if you're searching for saves.