The Royals have been searching under every rock to build up their pitching depth after recent injuries have decimated their staff. After acquiring Connor Seabold and Randy Dobnak earlier this week, today they signed veteran pitcher Matt Moore to a minor league deal.
Not to be confused with the former Chiefs quarterback of the same name, Matt Moore has spent 13 years in the big leagues with the Rays, Giants, Rangers, Tigers, Phillies, Angels, Guardians, and Marlins. The 37-year-old has a career 4.39
ERA, spending his early career as a starter, but transitioning to a reliever later in his career.
The lefty was once one of the top prospects in all of baseball, and was an All-Star for Tampa Bay in 2013 as a starter. He had Tommy John surgery the next year, but bounced back to have a solid season in 2016. He missed most of the 2019 season with a knee injury, and played in 2020 with the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks in Japan.
He returned to the States in 2021, and converted to the bullpenin 2023, posting a 1.95 ERA in 63 games with the Rangers. He last pitched in the big leagues in 2024, making 51 appearances with the Angels, posting a 5.03 ERA. Moore signed with the Red Sox last year, but experienced arm soreness and was released before ever making an appearance in the organization.
The Royals are currently without starters Kris Bubic and Cole Ragans, as well as relievers Nick Mears and Carlos Estévez.
