Overview

• Team testing labeled Erceg’s shoulder issue a mild impingement, and the Royals expect him to be fully ready for Spring Training in 2026.
• Kansas City is seven games out of an AL Wild Card with roughly nine games left, so losing a late-inning arm further dims already faint postseason hopes.
• Erceg delivered a 2.64 ERA over 61 1/3 innings with 48 strikeouts and 23 holds, working high-leverage spots as a primary setup option for Carlos Estévez.
• He had dealt with shoulder fatigue for weeks and, after allowing three hits including a homer in Wednesday’s win over Seattle, underwent imaging that confirmed the issue.
• Steven Cruz returned from a six-week shoulder IL stint and, after 4 1/3 scoreless rehab innings at Triple-A, takes Erceg’s spot with a 3.61 ERA in 43 appearances this season.