Carlos Estévez earned his 42nd save of the season Saturday in the Royals’ 4-2 win over the A’s, securing the 2025 MLB saves title. He enters Sunday’s finale with a two-save lead over San Diego’s Robert Suarez.

Estévez is only the second reliever in franchise history to lead the Majors in saves, joining Dan Quisenberry, who led with 45 saves in 1983. His total is the most by a Kansas City pitcher since Greg Holland’s 46 in 2014.

Signed last offseason to a two-year contract, Estévez has posted a 2.45 ERA in 67 appearances, converting 42 of 48 save opportunities. Along with Lucas Erceg, he helped the Royals achieve the sixth-best bullpen ERA in MLB at 3.63.

Kansas City built its staff around veteran arms this year, and Estévez has become the anchor of a relief corps the club expects to lead again in 2026.