Royals sign minor league free agents INF Ryan Roberts, LHP Joe Paterson

KANSAS CITY, MO (November 12, 2014) - The Kansas City Royals announced today that they have signed a pair of six-year free agents, infielder Ryan Roberts and left-handed pitcher Joe Paterson, to minor league contracts, which include an invite to Major League Spring Training.

Roberts, 34, spent the 2014 season in the Boston Red Sox organization, playing in eight games at the Major League level, while he hit .277 with 22 doubles, a triple, seven homers and 32 RBI in 72 games at Triple-A Pawtucket. The right-handed hitting infielder was in the Tampa Bay Rays organization the previous two seasons, hitting .247 with six doubles, five homers and 17 RBI in 60 games for the Rays during the 2013 season. 

Paterson, 28, has been in the Arizona Diamondbacks' system for the last four seasons, pitching in three games at the Major League level last year. The left-handed reliever worked in 56 games at Triple-A Reno last season, going 0-2 with a 2.95 ERA (14 ER in 42.2 IP), posting 33 strikeouts. He made a career-high 62 appearances for the Diamondbacks in 2011, going 0-3 with a save and a 2.91 ERA (11 ER in 34.0 IP), holding left-handed hitters to a .205 batting average.

For more information, members of the media may contact the Royals Media Relations Department at (816) 921-8000.