Kansas City Royals bring back an old friend

The Kansas City Royals have brought back an old friend as they have signed Ervin Santana to a minor league contract.

The Kansas City Royals are determined to be more competitive in 2021. They have made moves to bolster their pitching staff and lineup, bringing back a pair of old friends in Greg Holland and Mike Minor. Although the Royals may look to add another outfielder, their focus at this point may be on adding depth to the roster.

On Tuesday, the Royals did just that. Another old friend, Ervin Santana, is back in Kansas City, having signed a minor league deal.

Santana was solid in his first go-around with the Royals in 2013. The previously inconsistent hurler posted what was arguably the best season of this career to that point, posting a 3.24 ERA and a 1.142 WHiP, striking out 161 batters with 51 walks in 211 innings.

That season started a stretch of five solid years for Santana. Between his time with the Royals, Braves, and Twins from 2013 through 2017, he posted a 53-44 record, along with a 3.52 ERA and a 1.207 WHiP. He struck out 738 batters with just 264 walks in his 907.2 innings, serving as a solid piece in the middle of the rotation.

However, everything fell apart after the 2017 season. He had surgery to repair the tendon in the middle finger of his right hand in 2018, and had not been able to find the same level of production. Since that time, he has allowed 36 runs on 50 hits and 15 walks in 38 innings, with just 21 strikeouts.

After sitting out the 2020 season, Santana has attempted to resurrect his career, pitching for the Tigres del Licey in the Dominican Winter League. He has fared well to this point, allowing eight runs, six earned, on 19 hits and 11 walks over his 20.2 innings, striking out 25 batters.

If nothing else, the now 38 year old righty can serve as an interesting depth piece for Kansas City. Although the rotation seems fairly well set, especially with Minor’s return, Santana could vie for a role as a long reliever/spot starter. He could also serve as depth in AAA, a potential option in case of injury should he appear to be back to form.

The Kansas City Royals helped Ervin Santana resurrect his career once before. Eight years later, he is back to try once again.