Royals sign veteran starting pitcher Kyle Lohse to minor-league deal

The Royals on Saturday signed veteran starting pitcher Kyle Lohse to a minor-league contract.

Lohse, 39, last pitched in the major leagues with the Texas Rangers in 2016. Shortly after posting a 12.54 ERA in 9 1/3 innings that spanned two starts, he was designated for assignment.

He would earn $800,000 if he makes the Royals' major-league roster and up to an additional $700,000 in performance bonuses. Lohse can opt out of the contract on June 1.

In his career-best season, Lohse started 33 games, logged 211 innings, struck out 143 batters and recorded a 2.86 ERA for the Cardinals in 2012. He placed seventh in voting for the National League Cy Young Award, which that year went to Mets starter R.A. Dickey. Lohse signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the Brewers ahead of the 2013 season.

Lohse, who debuted at 22 with the Minnesota Twins in 2001, owns a career 4.40 ERA. Although he missed several months in both the 2009 and 2010 seasons because of a right forearm strain, his 416 starts ranked fourth-most in the majors during 2001-15.

The Royals, who are in need of starting pitching depth, signed former Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz to a minor-league contract during the last week of spring training. They signed veteran starter Ricky Nolasco earlier in the spring but released him last week.

In a pinch, the Royals could circle back to converted reliever and former Brewers starter Wily Peralta.

Peralta was designated for assignment Thursday to make room on the 40-man roster, but he cleared waivers and was outrighted to Class AAA Omaha on Saturday.

This story was originally published March 31, 2018 at 10:06 AM with the headline "Royals sign veteran starting pitcher Kyle Lohse to minor-league deal."