Royals sign Ervin Santana to minor-league contract
The Kansas City Royals signed veteran starting pitcher Ervin Santana to a minor-league contract, the team announced Tuesday.
The 38-year-old right-hander hasn't pitched in the majors since posting a 9.45 ERA across three starts for the Chicago White Sox in 2019.
However, Santana isn't that far removed from being an effective big leaguer. He went 16-8 with a 3.28 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, and 167 strikeouts over 211 1/3 innings with the Minnesota Twins in 2017 en route to his second career All-Star appearance.
Kansas City is currently projected to feature a rotation of Danny Duffy, Brad Keller, Mike Minor, Brady Singer, and potentially Kris Bubic or Jakob Junis. Santana could be a depth option in case of injury or extended struggles.
If Santana cracks the major-league roster, it will mark his second stint with the Royals. He went 9-10 with a 3.24 ERA over 32 starts with the club in 2013.
It's the latest veteran the Royals have added this offseason after signing Minor, Carlos Santana, and Michael A. Taylor, while re-signing reliever Greg Holland.