Royals, Nolasco agree to minor-league deal

The Kansas City Royals have signed veteran starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco to a minor-league deal, the team announced Wednesday.

The deal reportedly includes an opt-out prior to Opening Day, and is worth $1.5 million plus $250,000 in incentives if the 35-year-old makes the team out of spring training, according to Jon Heyman of FanRag Sports.

Nolasco started on Opening Day for the Los Angeles Angels in 2017 and posted a 4.92 ERA and 5.10 FIP over 181 innings.

The 35-year-old right-hander is coming off of a four-year, $49-million contract originally signed with the Minnesota Twins. After an injury-shortened 2015 season, Nolasco was shipped to the Angels prior to the 2016 trade deadline. The right-hander has surpassed the 200-inning threshold twice in his career, and has managed to work at least 150 innings in all but three years.

The Royals recently moved Jesse Hahn to the 60-day disabled list due to an injury to the right-hander's ulnar collateral ligament, though that particular move was intended to make room on the 40-man roster for new recruit Jon Jay.

Over 12 seasons with four different teams - including the Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Twins, and Angels - Nolasco owns a 114-118 record and 4.56 ERA.