The Kansas City Royals added depth to their starting rotation Saturday when they agreed to terms on a one-year major-league deal with free agent pitcher Chris Young.
Young, 35, has a 65-52 record and a 3.77 ERA over 10 seasons with Texas, San Diego, the Mets and Seattle. After sitting out most of the 2013 season because of thoracic outlet syndrome, Young returned to post a 12-9 record and a 3.65 ERA last season in Seattle to win the American League Comeback Player of the Year award.
Young will receive a base salary of $675,000, according to the Kansas City Star. His deal can max out at $6 million if he reaches designated incentives for roster days, innings pitched and starts, a baseball source told ESPN.com.
After losing James Shields to San Diego through free agency, Kansas City has a projected starting rotation of Yordano Ventura, Danny Duffy, Edinson Volquez, Jeremy Guthrie and Jason Vargas. Young provides depth in the event of injury or if one of the team's five starters struggles.
The Royals signed free agency Kris Medlen in December, but he is coming off his second career Tommy John surgery and has been placed on the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Young.