The Kansas City Royals addressed two pitching contracts Thursday, determining the futures of former Los Angeles Dodgers starter Tony Gonsolin and closer Carlos Estevez.
Both right-handers entered the offseason with club options after injuries limited their contributions during the 2026 campaign.
The decisions involve different financial commitments. Gonsolin’s option carries a $2.5 million salary for 2027, while Estevez’s agreement included a $13 million option with a $2 million buyout.
Kansas City signed Gonsolin in August as he continued recovering from elbow surgery. Estevez arrived before the 2025 season and initially delivered an MLB-leading 42 saves.
Their contrasting contract situations gave the Royals an opportunity to address both rotation depth and bullpen spending as the offseason began.
The Royals outlined their plans for both pitchers Thursday on their official X account, formerly Twitter, announcing how they would handle each player’s 2027 club option.
“We have exercised our 2027 club option with RHP Tony Gonsolin.
We have declined our 2027 club option with RHP Carlos Estévez.”
Gonsolin made one appearance for the Royals, allowing five earned runs over 2 2/3 innings before an allergic reaction sent him to the injured list in late September.
His earlier success came with the Dodgers, including a 16-1 record and 2.14 ERA during his 2022 All-Star season.
Tommy John surgery in 2023 and an internal-brace procedure in 2025 interrupted his career. The exercised option keeps him available as experienced rotation depth for next season.
Article Continues BelowEstevez’s departure follows a difficult reversal from his first year in Kansas City, when he paired those 42 saves with a 2.45 ERA.
He allowed six earned runs in one-third of an inning on Opening Day in 2026. A foot contusion and subsequent rotator-cuff strain sidelined him, and shoulder surgery ended his season in September.
The buyout makes the 33-year-old pitcher a free agent and costs the Royals $11 million less than exercising his option.
Kansas City retains Gonsolin for 2027 while Estevez enters free agency with his recovery timeline still uncertain following shoulder surgery.

