The Royals have released left-hander Bruce Chen, MLB Daily Dish’s Chris Cotillo reports (Twitter link). Chen, 37, was designated for assignment by the team last week.
The veteran had a 7.45 ERA over 48 1/3 innings with the Royals this season, making seven starts and six relief appearances. ERA predictors aren’t usually friendly to a low-strikeout, contact pitcher such as Chen, though his current FIP (4.57), xFIP (4.64) and SIERA (4.43) indicate that he has been rather unlucky to produce that 7.45 total this season.
Chen re-signed with the Royals last winter, inking a one-year, $3.25MM deal with a $5.5MM mutual option for 2015 (with a $1MM buyout). He has pitched for 10 different teams over his 16-year career and it’s possible he could turn his total up to 11 if a club is on the lookout for an experienced southpaw as bullpen depth down the stretch. Chen is only a year removed from a 2013 season that saw him post a 3.27 ERA over 121 innings for Kansas City.
Nine players remain in “DFA Limbo,” and you can follow their status with the MLB Trade Rumors DFA Tracker.
Seems like this guy played for every team until he found a nice home in Kanas city. I hope someone picks him up. Anyone thinking the Angels or even the Dodgers?
Bruce is still hurt, disc problems lower back. Needs to shut it down and get healthy while still drawing a check, then if he’s done go to work for the Royals as a minor league instructor.
As a White Sox fan, I’m extremely happy to see him go. Over the last 4 seasons, Chen is 8-2 with a 3.06 ERA/.219AVG against White Sox hitters.
Yeah he owned the White Sox for some reason. While I hope he takes care of himself and gets healthy, I’d prefer him to do it in the National League instead.
10 teams in 16 years. An ultimate survivor. Good luck Bruce.