The Royals announced on Saturday that they signed veteran right-hander Homer Bailey to a Minor League contract with an invitation to the club's Major League Spring Training camp.
Bailey, the seventh-overall pick in the 2004 MLB Draft, pitched his entire career with the Reds before Cincinnati dealt him to the Dodgers in December for salary relief as part of a seven-player deal. The Dodgers subsequently released Bailey, making him a free agent. Bailey will still receive the final $23 million guaranteed by the contract he signed in 2014, but his release meant the Royals were able to sign him to the minimum salary for '19.
Bailey, 32, has started just 46 games over the past four seasons while battling several injuries. He's largely struggled when he has taken the mound during that span, compiling a 6.25 ERA. Kansas City is likely interested to see if Bailey can regain any of the form that helped him compile a sub-4.00 ERA and twirl a pair of no-hitters between 2012 and '14.
Bailey can opt out by March 25, per a source.