The Royals have announced minor league deal with righty Edward Mujica. The veteran reliever was recently released by the Phillies upon his request.
Mujica will hope to work back toward the big leagues after failing to earn a call-up with Philadelphia. His new deal with Kansas City includes an opt-out opportunity on August 7th, per SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo (via Twitter).
The 32-year-old has pitched in each of the prior ten MLB campaigns, compiling a 3.85 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9 over 546 2/3 total innings. But his low-walk approach wasn’t effective last year, as he scuffled to an uncharacteristic 4.75 ERA with the Red Sox and Athletics.
Mujica has certainly not lost his trademark control, as he’s permitted only four free passes in 39 frames at Triple-A in 2016. He’s been reasonably effective overall at the highest level of the minors, carrying a 3.69 ERA in that span, but it wasn’t enough to convince the Philly brass to bring him back to the majors.
Triple-A Lehigh Valley director of media relations and broadcasting Matt Provence first tweeted the news.
Has to be one of “in case of emergency break glass” type of signs. Mujica can’t really get anyone out now. Ball doesn’t sink anymore and worse without decent defenders in a fast infield when it does.
This guy is toast, or was when Boston had him and finally released.
I was hoping my braves would sign him