The Royals on Wednesday filled a hole in their rotation as right-hander Jason Hammel signed a two-year deal with a mutual option for 2019.
It is a backloaded contract that will pay Hammel $5 million in 2017 and $9 million in 2018. The deal also includes a $2 million buyout on a mutual option for 2019.
Hammel, 34, had a 3.83 ERA with 144 strikeouts in 166 2/3 innings last season with the Chicago Cubs. Hammel has made 20 or more starts in each of the last eight seasons, including 30 or more in each of the the last two seasons with the Cubs.