KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Royals fans could be seeing a new pitcher on the diamond at Kauffman Stadium some day.
The team on Tuesday agreed to terms with right-handed pitcher Philip Humber on a minor league contract for next season. Humber has been invited to join the Royals at Spring Training.
The 26-year-old Humber has spent the past two seasons pitching in the Minnesota Twins organization. He was the key figure in the five-player trade that sent pitcher Johan Santana to the New York Mets.
The 6-foot-4 pitcher was 7-9 with a 5.34 ERA in 23 games for Rochester (AAA) this past season. That included 22 starts. He also made eight relief appearances for Minnesota.
Humber is 0-0 with a 6.07 ERA in 18 career Major League appearances for the Mets and Twins. He started one game in the Majors.
The Nacogdoches, Tex. native was the Mets’ first-round selection and third overall pick in the 2004 Draft. He lives in Carthage, Tex. with his wife, Kristan.
