Carlos Estévez secured his 42nd save of the season Saturday night, closing out the Royals’ 4-2 win over the Athletics and clinching the 2025 Major League saves title. The veteran reliever finished with a two-save lead over San Diego’s Robert Suarez heading into the final game of the season.

Estévez joins Dan Quisenberry as the only Royals pitchers to lead MLB in saves. Quisenberry shared the title in 1980 and led outright in 1983. Estévez’s 42 saves are the most by a Kansas City reliever since Greg Holland’s 46 in 2014.

Signed last offseason to a two-year deal, Estévez delivered a 2.45 ERA across 67 appearances while converting 42 of 48 save chances. His consistency anchored a bullpen that ranks among the league’s best. The 32-year-old is expected to return as Kansas City’s closer in 2026, continuing his role as a key veteran presence.