Royals sign pitcher Kris Medlen to two-year deal

Ken Rosenthal reports the Royals have signed right-handed pitcher Kris Medlen to a two-year deal worth $8.5 million with a $10 million mutual option for 2017. Medlen, who is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery and is not expected to be ready for opening day, will earn $2 million in 2015, $5.5 million in 2016, with the mutual option in 2017 that has a $1 million buyout.

The 29-year old right-hander has spent six years in the big leagues, but has missed nearly two complete seasons with injuries. He won 15 games in 2013 with a 3.11 ERA in the only season he has made 30 starts or more. Overall he has a 2.95 ERA in 512 2/3 big league innings with 7.6 strikeouts per nine innings. He was non-tendered by the Braves due to injury concerns. Medlen tore his ulnar collateral ligament in 2010, requiring Tommy John surgery. In the spring of 2014, the Braves again found ligament damage, and Medlen got his second Tommy John surgery.

Medlen throws in the upper-80s with a two-seam fastball, a curveball, and a changeup. Over 2012-2013, when Medlen was healthy, he compiled 6.3 fWAR with a 2.47 ERA in 335 innings.