Carlos Estévez: Everything you need to know

Estevez (shoulder) began playing catch Wednesday, MLB.com reports. While on a rehab assignment for a left foot contusion, Estevez was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain May 6 and subsequently shut down from throwing. The right-hander met with team doctors Tuesday for a re-evaluation and seemingly received positive news, as he has now resumed throwing. The development marks a step in the right direction, though Kansas City will likely proceed cautiously with the veteran's buildup, and he'll almost certainly require another rehab assignment, leaving his timetable for a return unclear. With Estevez sidelined, Lucas Erceg has stepped in as the Royals' closer and posted a 5.06 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 18:13 K:BB while converting 11 of 15 save opportunities across 21.1 innings.

Royals manager Matt Quatraro said that Estevez (shoulder) is slated to be re-examined by the team doctor Tuesday and could be cleared to resume throwing if he receives a positive evaluation, Jaylon T. Thompson of The Kansas City Star reports. Initially placed on the injured list April 1 due to a left foot contusion, Estevez began a rehab assignment earlier this month but made just one appearance before being shut down, after he was diagnosed with a rotator cuff strain in his right shoulder. While Estevez looks like he could start playing catch by the end of the week, he'll likely be ramped up slowly during his throwing program and will eventually need to head back out on another rehab assignment prior to being activated. During Estevez's extended absence, the Royals have leaned on Lucas Erceg as their closer, but Erceg owns a 5.06 ERA and 1.69 WHIP over 21.1 innings on the season and hasn't made a strong case for keeping the job once Estevez is activated.

Estevez (foot) was diagnosed with a right rotator cuff strain Thursday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports. Estevez made his first rehab appearance in the minors Wednesday as part of his recovery from a left foot injury, but he was removed after just two-thirds of an inning after displaying diminished velocity. Now that he's been officially diagnosed with a strained rotator cuff, the Royals will shut him down from throwing for three weeks before reevaluating him, at which point he may be cleared to restart a throwing program. Lucas Erceg will continue to work as Kansas City's go-to closer while Estevez is out.