Royals sign RHP Yohan Pino to free-agent contract

KANSAS CITY, MO (December 15, 2014) - The Kansas City Royals announced today that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Yohan Pino (pronounced: PEEN-oh) to a Major League free-agent contract. Per club policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed. In a corresponding roster move, the Royals designated right-handed pitcher Casey Coleman for assignment.

Pino, 30, made 11 starts with the Minnesota Twins last season, going 2-5 with a 5.07 ERA (34 ER in 60.1 IP), and walked just 14 while recording 50 strikeouts. He made his Major League debut on June 19 against the White Sox, taking a no-decision in a 4-2 Twins' victory, allowing two runs on five hits with a walk and seven strikeouts over 7.0 frames. He earned his first big league win in Seattle on July 10, allowing one run in the first 5.0 innings of a 4-2 triumph.

Pino also posted a 10-2 record and a 2.47 ERA (20 ER in 73.0 IP) with Rochester (AAA) last season, holding opponents to a .180 batting average, while he recorded a pair of shutouts in his first three starts. The right-handed pitcher originally signed with the Twins in 2004 and has compiled an 84-57 mark and a 3.76 ERA in 294 minor league appearances (155 starts) with nine complete games and four shutouts. Along with the Minnesota, Pino has pitched in the Cleveland Indians (2009-11), Toronto Blue Jays (2011-12) and Cincinnati Reds (2013) organizations.