Kansas City Royals sign Wandy Rodriguez, Joba Chamberlain to minor league deals
By Tim Haberin
The Kansas City Royals have signed minor league contracts with pitchers Wandy Rodriguez and Joba Chamberlain, according to the club.
The 36-year-old Rodriguez largely struggled his way through 17 appearances (15 starts and a pair of relief outings) with the Texas Rangers this year. In 86.1 innings he posted a 4.90 ERA, 1.56 WHIP and 2.0 K/BB ratio.
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The veteran lefty actually enjoyed a solid run of eight starts from May 5 through June 12. In those outings he put up a 2.70 ERA and held opponents to just a .212 batting average. The wheels soon fell off, however, with Rodriguez managing a unsightly 9.00 ERA over his following seven appearances. The Rangers designated him for assignment on July 29.
Chamberlain has been trying to make his way back onto a major league roster after being cut loose by the Detroit Tigers in early July. Like Rodriguez, the reliever was putting together a convincing stretch (1.89 ERA in his first 26 appearances) before a rash of ugly outings caught up to him. Six earned runs (including three homers) surrendered in his last three innings of work more than doubled his ERA on the season to 4.09.
Joba is still well-known for his electrifying debut out of the Yankees bullpen in 2007, though a series of role changes, injuries and other factors gradually diminished his once-bright potential over the next several years. He bounced back with the Tigers last season (3.57 ERA in 63 IP), but his luck has seemed to run out midway through the current campaign. The 29-year-old, renowned for his swing-and-miss stuff in his earlier days, was working the lowest strikeout rate of his career (6.1 K/9) before getting designated for assignment.
Chamberlain inked a minor league contract with the Blue Jays near the end of July but chose to opt-out on August 14, freeing him to try to catch on with the Royals instead.
Kansas City likely views these two as low-risk pitching depth to stash at Triple-A for the time being. Though it is difficult to see Chamberlain breaking into the stacked Royals bullpen anytime soon, Rodriguez could offer them an experienced arm if they need a spot starter at any point.