Out
Injury Shoulder
Est. Return 2/1/2026
2025 Stats
W-L
8-4
ERA
2.64
WHIP
1.17
K
48
SV
2
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
Erceg posted a 3.68 ERA and 41:13 K:BB over 36.2 innings for the Athletics before the team capitalized on the prices being paid in the relief market, trading him to Kansas City at the end of July. The 29-year-old former infielder was even more impressive for the Royals, posting a 2.88 ERA and 0.84 WHIP with 31 strikeouts against only three walks across 25 innings. After tallying only three saves with the A's, Erceg racked up 11 of Kansas City's 15 saves after the team acquired him. He went slider heavy as he moved into the closer role, increasing his usage of the pitch by 13.2 percent compared to 2023. Conversely, he tossed fewer changeups, which was his best pitch the year prior. Erceg is under team control through 2029 and was the favorite to open 2025 as the Royals closer, but the offseason signing of Carlos Estevez presents some major competition. It remains to be seen whether a committee approach is utilized or if Erceg or Estevez is shifted to a setup role. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year contract with the Royals in March of 2025.
On injured list
The Royals placed Erceg on the 15-day injured list Friday due to a right shoulder impingement.
Analysis
The move essentially ends Erceg's season, as the Royals haven't officially been eliminated from playoff contention but remain seven games out from the final wild-card spot with nine games to play. The 30-year-old has a 2.64 ERA and 48:18 K:BB in 61.1 innings this season. He's tallied an 8-4 record with 23 holds as well. Steven Cruz (shoulder) was activated from the IL in a corresponding move.
The move essentially ends Erceg's season, as the Royals haven't officially been eliminated from playoff contention but remain seven games out from the final wild-card spot with nine games to play. The 30-year-old has a 2.64 ERA and 48:18 K:BB in 61.1 innings this season. He's tallied an 8-4 record with 23 holds as well. Steven Cruz (shoulder) was activated from the IL in a corresponding move.
Pitching Stats
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2025 MLB Game Log
2025
2024
2023
Minor League Game Log
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Pitching Appearances Breakdown
Average Pitch Count
16
Last 10 Games
18
Last 5 Games
19
How many pitches does Lucas Erceg generally throw?
1-10
11-20
21-30
31-40
41-50
51-60
61-70
71-80
81-90
91-100
101-110
111-120
121+
What part of the game does Lucas Erceg generally pitch?
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
Extra
% Games Reaching Innings Threshold
% Games By Number of Innings Pitched
Left/Right Pitching Splits
Since 2023
-14%
BAA vs LHP
2025
-29%
BAA vs LHP
| BAA | K | BB | H | HR | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023vs Left | .213 | 90 | 38 | 64 | 4 | |||
| Since 2023vs Right | .247 | 98 | 32 | 90 | 4 | |||
| 2025vs Left | .200 | 26 | 11 | 24 | 1 | |||
| 2025vs Right | .280 | 22 | 7 | 30 | 3 | |||
| 2024vs Left | .215 | 37 | 11 | 23 | 2 | |||
| 2024vs Right | .210 | 35 | 5 | 26 | 1 | |||
| 2023vs Left | .230 | 27 | 16 | 17 | 1 | |||
| 2023vs Right | .254 | 41 | 20 | 34 | 0 | |||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | |||||||
Home/Away Pitching Splits
Since 2023
-17%
ERA at Home
2025
-57%
ERA at Home
| ERA | WHIP | IP | K/9 | BB/9 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023Home | 3.21 | 1.23 | 89.2 | 9.9 | 3.3 | ||||
| Since 2023Away | 3.87 | 1.29 | 88.1 | 9.1 | 3.8 | ||||
| 2025Home | 1.64 | 1.09 | 33.0 | 6.8 | 2.7 | ||||
| 2025Away | 3.81 | 1.27 | 28.1 | 7.3 | 2.5 | ||||
| 2024Home | 4.40 | 1.21 | 30.2 | 11.2 | 2.3 | ||||
| 2024Away | 2.32 | 0.90 | 31.0 | 9.9 | 2.3 | ||||
| 2023Home | 3.81 | 1.42 | 26.0 | 12.5 | 5.2 | ||||
| 2023Away | 5.59 | 1.72 | 29.0 | 9.9 | 6.5 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Stat Review
How does Lucas Erceg compare to other relievers?
This section compares his stats with all relief pitcher seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 30 innings)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 30 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity, Barrels/BBE %, Balls Hit 95+ MPH %, and Spin Rate are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 30 IP). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
K/BB
2.67K/9
7.0BB/9
2.6HR/9
0.6Fastball
97.6 mphERA
2.64WHIP
1.17BABIP
.286GB/FB
1.96Left On Base
79.8%Exit Velocity
84.0 mphBarrels/BBE
4.3%Spin Rate
2008 rpmBalls Hit 95+ MPH
24.5%Swinging Strike
11.3%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Pitching Stats
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Defensive Stats
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Stats Vs Today's Lineup
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2019
2018
2017
Erceg began his career as an infielder, but converted to pitching a few years ago while he was a member of the Brewers organization. After struggling in the minors as a reliever, Erceg was traded to Oakland last May, where he was given an opportunity to perform at the big league level for the first time. Expectedly, the 28-year-old worked around control issues (14.3% walk rate), but he earned the manager's trust amidst an unsettled Oakland bullpen. Erceg primarily flashed his 98 mph sinker that he complemented with a fastball, changeup, slider and occasional cutter. His change was his best pitch (.190 BA, 38.4% whiff), but he only threw it 22.1% of the time, so it will be interesting to see if he tosses it more often. Erceg's ratios weren't great, but he only permitted one home run across 55 innings, with his 0.16 HR/9 best in the league among qualified relievers. He's a dark horse candidate for save chances, but there could still be growing pains.
More Fantasy News
Locks down second save
Erceg secured his second save of the season in Tuesday's 8-5 win over the Nationals after tossing a scoreless ninth inning.
Analysis
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Shaky in loss
Erceg (4-3) took the loss Saturday, giving up two runs on two hits and three walks in an inning of relief as the Royals fell 3-1 to the Marlins. He struck out one.
Analysis
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Reinstated from injured list
The Royals activated Erceg (back) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday.
Analysis
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Trending toward Wednesday return
Manager Matt Quatraro said Tuesday that Erceg (back) is expected to return from the injured list Wednesday, Anne Rogers of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Rehab assignment looming
Erceg (back) threw live batting practice Friday and is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Omaha on Sunday, MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Potential trade piece?
The Athletics may be willing to trade Erceg this summer, per Jim Bowden of The Athletic.
Analysis
Oakland isn't expected to deal dominant closer Mason Miller this summer, but the organization is likely more willing to part with Erceg, who has been working as a setup man. Erceg surrendered two runs during Wednesday's loss to San Diego in his first outing back from a forearm injury, but prior to that he had a 2.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB over 22 innings. The 29-year-old still has two more seasons with a pre-arbitration salary, so the Athletics could be patient while evaluating trade options.
Oakland isn't expected to deal dominant closer Mason Miller this summer, but the organization is likely more willing to part with Erceg, who has been working as a setup man. Erceg surrendered two runs during Wednesday's loss to San Diego in his first outing back from a forearm injury, but prior to that he had a 2.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 27:8 K:BB over 22 innings. The 29-year-old still has two more seasons with a pre-arbitration salary, so the Athletics could be patient while evaluating trade options.