Report: Royals add Maness on minor-league deal
After undergoing a radical and potentially groundbreaking procedure to repair his throwing elbow, Seth Maness has apparently found a new home for the 2017 campaign.
The Kansas City Royals agreed to a minor-league deal with the 28-year-old right-hander that includes an invitation to major-league spring training, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Instead of undergoing the typical Tommy John surgery to repair the damage in his right elbow, Maness rolled the dice and partook in an operation known as "primary repair," which cut his rehab time in half. The procedure was performed by Dr. George Paletta in August.
He performed in front of 16 big-league clubs last week, and it appears the Royals liked what they saw.
"People have been thinking I was going to be missing this whole year," Maness told Goold after his workout. "That makes you kind of mad. That makes you motivated. I'm going to be ready. I'm out there and it's just stay within yourself and trust what Dr. (George) Paletta did."
Maness was non-tendered by the St. Louis Cardinals in December after spending the past four seasons with the club.
Over the course of his career, he owns a 3.19 ERA and 1.26 WHIP during 244 appearances, including seven saves.