Why Kansas City Royals decided to sign catcher Austin Nola in spring training
The Kansas City Royals had Austin Nola on their radar this offseason.
Nola, 34, checked a lot of boxes. He had years of major league experience, most notably with the San Diego Padres, and he also caught veteran free-agent pitching additions Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha.
“It was a target for us, really earlier in the offseason, because of the track record and knowing how important catching depth is,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said. “I mean, what we went through last year, it’s tough. But, to get somebody that has that much experience behind the plate, it’s a bonus for us.”
The Royals tried to sign Nola during the offseason’s early phase. Instead, Nola chose to join the Milwaukee Brewers on a minor-league deal.
KC remained interested in Nola. On Friday, the Royals got a second chance to acquire the veteran backstop.
Nola was released by the Brewers on Thursday and Picollo was ready to sign him. The deal came together quickly as Nola joined the Royals later that night.
“We were on top of it because Milwaukee was reported to have signed (Gary) Sanchez,” Picollo said. “Knowing Nola was a non-roster invite, we were on top of it. There is nothing you can really do until it happens. And then, once he got released yesterday, his agents were reaching out to a bunch of teams. We had already made the decision, if that happens and he was available, we would add him to the 40-man (roster).”
The Royals placed starter Kris Bubic on the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. Bubic is still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Nola received a major league contract. He provides additional depth alongside team captain Salvador Perez and Freddy Fermin among others in camp. Nola also has minor-league options remaining that offer the Royals roster flexibility.
Picollo noted Nola’s signing is not expected to impact Fermin.
“I would expect you know, he’ll (Fermin) break with the club, but you know, there’s a chance we could break with three catchers,” Picollo said.
Nola appeared in 52 games last season. He produced a .146 batting average while dealing with vision issues in his left eye. The ailment stemmed from post-concussion symptoms he suffered after being hit in the face during a spring training game last season.
“Just dealing with the head stuff and, you know, getting the foul tips and from the first hit in spring training,” Nola said of his lingering ailments. “(I) never really recovered from it.”
Nola met with specialists in UCLA and San Diego. He underwent neurology and ophthalmology tests. Nola was trying to understand why his depth perception was impacted and what led to issues seeing the baseball.
The specialists helped him discover the issue. He was diagnosed with oculomotor dysfunction that hinders the brain’s ability to coordinate eye movement.
This offseason, Nola said he was able to regain full strength. He felt good and was excited to return to his 2022 form.
“Once I was able to get the full recovery, I was able to get everything cleaned up,” Nola said. “Get my body movements and everything back in order from obviously the concussion.”
The Royals were comfortable with Nola’s medicals. KC received a good report and is excited to have him in the fold this season.
“It’s concerning more from a mental standpoint than anything,” Picollo said. “But the reports we had indicated that he was over that and, you know, gotten through that.”
Nola will get a chance to work again with Lugo and Wacha. He will wear No. 14 with the Royals.
“I love catching them; it’s so much fun,” Nola said. “Those guys have unbelievable stuff. They are able to move the ball around and locate their fastball. I think that’s what makes it so much fun.”
The Royals will continue Cactus League play against the Texas Rangers at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona. KC dropped its spring training opener 5-4 to the Rangers on Friday.
This story was originally published February 23, 2024 at 7:10 PM.
