NEWS AND EVENTS

Royals sign RHP Chris Young to two-year contract

The Kansas City Royals said Monday that they have signed veteran right-hander Chris Young to a two-year deal with a mutual option for the 2018 season. The deal is worth approximately $11.75 million, CBS Sports reported.

The 6-foot-10 Young, 36, was 11-6 with a 3.06 ERA last season for the World Series champions. He made 18 starts and pitched 123⅓ innings.

“Our players absolutely loved him. They learned a lot by watching him compete,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “It was that winner’s mindset that he brought in the clubhouse, not only his ability to produce as a pitcher on the mound but everything he brought to the table with him that was so important to our team.”

Young allowed five earned runs in 15⅔ postseason innings and won Game 1 of the World Series after three scoreless innings. Yost raved about his work ethic, preparation and mental toughness during the postseason.

“Chris Young is special,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said at the MLB winter meetings. “He’s an unbelievable competitor, and you can make a case that he was the MVP of our pitching staff.”

Young has a 76-58 record and 3.69 ERA over 11 seasons with Kansas City, Texas, San Diego, the Mets and Seattle. After sitting out most of the 2013 season because of thoracic outlet syndrome, Young returned in 2014 to post a 12-9 record and 3.65 ERA in Seattle and win the American League Comeback Player of the Year award.