The Royals are taking another swing at rebuilding their pitching depth, and this time the move comes with a familiar name attached.
Kansas City signed former All-Star Tony Gonsolin to a contract that includes a club option for the 2027 season. To clear space on the 40-man roster, the Royals designated Eli Morgan for assignment. Gonsolin was also placed on the 15-day Injured List.
Gonsolin’s track record still carries real weight. He broke in with the Dodgers in 2019, picked up Rookie of the Year votes, and started two games in the World Series the following year. His peak came in 2022, when he made the All-Star team and went 16-1 with a 2.14 ERA across 24 starts.
The road after that got rough fast. In 2023, Gonsolin’s numbers slipped to a 4.98 ERA in 20 starts, and he finished that season on the Injured List with forearm inflammation. Tommy John surgery wiped out his entire 2024 season.
He returned in 2025 and made seven starts, but right elbow discomfort cut that comeback short. Rather than undergo surgery, he chose an internal brace procedure and never got back on the mound. The Dodgers designated him for assignment after the season, and he remained unsigned through 2026.
Even with the injuries and the uneven stretches, Gonsolin has shown why teams keep betting on him when he’s available. His best work has come with a splitter that grades as plus, backed by a fastball that sits at 93 mph. His ERA has generally run well below his FIP, another sign of how effective he’s been when his body cooperates.
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Royals Cannot Ignore This Lineup Need If They Want To Contend
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