The Royals have brought in another arm, signing veteran right-hander Vince Velasquez to a minor league deal.
Velasquez, 34, is a 10-year MLB veteran who most recently spent time with the Chicago Cubs. He made two appearances for Chicago earlier this season and handled 3.1 scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.
Even with that brief run of effectiveness, the Cubs didn’t keep him on the roster. After being designated for assignment, Velasquez chose free agency rather than accept an outright assignment to Triple-A.
According to Mark Polishuk of MLB Trade Rumors, the move to Kansas City gives Velasquez a different path forward. "This time around, however, Velasquez has opted for a change of scenery in Kansas City’s organization," Polishuk wrote Saturday.
Polishuk also noted the timing could matter if the Royals move players before the trade deadline. "While the Cubs’ unending string of pitching injuries would’ve seemed to provide an opportunity for Velasquez to return to Chicago at some point this season, it’s possible he saw the Royals (a likely deadline seller) as a better avenue to an open roster spot when and if K.C. moves some players at the trade deadline," Polishuk added.
Before this stop, Velasquez spent much of his career in the Philadelphia Phillies’ rotation from 2016-21, working mostly as a back-end starter. His strongest season came in 2016, when he posted a 101 ERA+ and struck out 27.6% of the batters he faced.
The 2010 draft pick reached the majors with the Houston Astros in 2015.
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