Royals agree to terms with Ryan Madson on minor-league deal

Former closer Ryan Madson is set to resume his major-league comeback bid as a member of the Kansas City Royals.

Madson and the Royals have agreed to terms on a minor-league contract with an invitation to spring training, the team announced Sunday.

Madson, 34, hasn't pitched in the majors since saving 32 games for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2011. He signed a one-year, $8.5-million deal with the Cincinnati Reds the following offseason but never threw a pitch for them after suffering a UCL tear in his right elbow during spring training. He missed the entire 2012 season recovering from Tommy John surgery.

It's Madson's second attempt to return to the bigs after a failed bid with the Los Angeles Angels in 2013. 

Prior to his injury, Madson was among the game's most effective relievers. He pitched to a 2.78 ERA and 1.15 WHIP with a 9.6 K/9 rate from 2009-2011.