KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Royals agreed to terms with left-hander Bruce Chen on one-year deal Thursday, giving them a veteran pitcher comfortable as a long reliever or in the starting rotation.
Kansas City had yet to announce the contract, which includes a mutual option for 2015.
The 36-year-old, one of the most popular players in the clubhouse, has spent the past five seasons in Kansas City. He’s coming off perhaps the finest year of his 15′-year career, going 9-4 with a 3.27 ERA while making 15 starts and 19 appearances out of the bullpen.
Chen will likely assume a similar role this season, providing a cushion in the event of an injury or if young starters such as Yordano Ventura aren’t ready out of spring training.
