Royals bring back Mitch Maier with minor-league contract

Mitch Maier, a longtime Royal and former first-round pick, re-joined the organization on a minor-league contract. The team assigned him to Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

Maier, a 31-year-old outfielder, appeared for the Royals in parts of six big-league seasons. He was a regular in 2009 and 2010.

The Royals cut ties with Maier after 2012. He played last season in the Red Sox organization. After spending spring training with the Cubs this past spring, Maier once again became a free agent.

For his career, he is a .248 hitter with a .671 OPS. He also tossed scoreless innings on two separate occasions in 2011 and 2012.

This story was originally published May 1, 2014 at 9:37 AM with the headline "Royals bring back Mitch Maier with minor-league contract."