By MATT PIKE
After getting hit in the ankle during his blown save against the Atlanta Braves, in which Dominic Smith hit a walk off grand slam, the Kansa City Royals are placing closing pitcher Carlos Estévez on the injured list.
Estévez has been placed on the 15 day injured list by the Royals, retroactive to March 29th, with a left foot contusion. In a corresponding move Kansas City has recalled right handed relief pitcher Steven Cruz from Triple A Omaha.
Cruz pitched in 47 games for the Royals last season, with a 3.74 ERA and boasted a 3-1 record. In nine holds, the right hander walked 18 batters and struck out 38 batters over 45.2 innings. This season, Cruz had made just one appearance for the Stormchasers, giving up two runs on two hits, walking one and striking out three over just one inning of work.
While Estévez has been injured, it's appeared to be a closer by committee for the Royals. Across their two wins, Manager Matt Quatraro has used Lucas Erceg and John Schreiber in save situations since the injury to Estévez on Saturday.
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