Former Braves pitcher Mike Minor signed with Kansas City on Friday and will join former Braves Kris Medlen and Chien-Ming Wang among the competitors for a spot in the Royals’ starting rotation.
According to MLB.com, Minor signed a two-year contract worth $7.25 million.
Minor, who missed all of the 2015 season after shoulder surgery to repair a damaged labrum, became a free agent when the Braves non-tendered him in December. MLB.com reports he will get $2 million guaranteed in 2016 and $4 million guaranteed in 2017. The deal includes a $10 million mutual option in 2018 with a $1.25 million buyout.
Minor’s deal is similar to the other signed by Medlen before last season after he had Tommy John surgery. Medlen, who made $2 million last year, is set to make $5.5 million this year and has a $10 million mutual option for next season.
Wang was in Braves camp for spring training last year, but did not make the 25-man roster.
Minor is expected to start the season in extended spring training, just as Medlen did last season, MLB’s Jeffrey Flanagan reported.
Minor was drafted in the first round by the Braves in 2009, the seventh overall pick, out of Vanderbilt. In five seasons with the Braves, he was 38-36 with a 4.10 ERA. In 2014, he was 6-12 with a 4.77 ERA. He allowed 82 home runs in 652 2/3 innings. He experienced recurring shoulder problems that season.
