KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Pitcher Mike Minor agreed Friday to a $7.25 million, two-year contract with the Kansas City Royals, a deal that could be worth $24.5 million over three seasons if he is a regular member of the rotation.
A 28-year-old left-hander who was sidelined for all of last season because of shoulder injury, Minor joins what is becoming a crowded competition for two spots in the Royals’ starting rotation. He likely won’t be ready to pitch before late May or early June.
A former first-round pick of the Atlanta Braves, Minor will earn $2 million this year and $4 million in 2017. The deal includes a $10 million mutual option for 2018 with a $1.25 million buyout.
He could earn an additional $4 million in roster and performance bonuses this year, and $4.5 million in performance bonuses in 2017. He would get the full amount this year if he is on the active roster for 120 days, makes 20 starts and pitches 120 innings, and the entire amount next year if he makes 30 starts and pitches 200 innings.
Minor became a free agent in December when the Braves failed to offer a 2016 contract. He spent the first five seasons of his career with Atlanta, going 38-36 with a 4.10 ERA while averaging 7.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
After experiencing soreness during spring training, Minor went on the disabled list at the start of last season and had surgery May 13 to repair the labrum in his pitching shoulder.
He is competing with Chris Young, Kris Medlen, Danny Duffy and Dillon Gee for starting spots behind Edinson Volquez, Yordano Ventura and Ian Kennedy.
Minor can earn $700,000 in roster bonuses this year, $175,000 each for 30, 60, 90 and 120 days on the active major league roster. He earns $165,000 for each start from 11-20 and the same amount for 75 innings and each additional five through 120.
For 2017, he gets $225,000 for his 12th start and each additional two through 30, and the same amount for 110 innings and each additional 10 through 200.
Kansas City placed left-hander Jason Vargas on the 60-day disabled list to open a roster spot. Vargas is recovering from Tommy John surgery late last season.
