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The Royals have signed starting pitcher Joe Blanton to a minor league deal according to Jon Heyman. The 34-year old right-hander last pitched in the big leagues in 2013, when he had a 6.04 ERA in 28 games with the Angels. He was cut by Los Angeles at the end of camp last year and made just two minor league starts for the A's before shutting things down. He had reportedly retired, but will apparently be making a comeback attempt with the Royals.
Blanton is a ten-year Major League veteran with a 4.51 career ERA with the Athletics, Phillies, Dodgers, and Angels. His best year came in 2005 when he posted a 3.53 ERA and 3.8 rWAR for Oakland. Blanton had another 3+ rWAR season in 2007, logging a career high 230 innings, but has not had a 200 innings season since.
The Royals five-man rotation is mostly set, but Blanton could serve as depth, competing with Yohan Pino, Aaron Brooks, and Michael Mariot as potential sixth starter options should any pitchers go down.