The Royals have re-signed righty Kyle Zimmer, as Rustin Dodd of The Athletic was among those to report on Twitter. He’ll return to the organization on a minor-league deal.
That outcome was just what the Royals hoped for when they removed the talented, but oft-injured hurler from their 40-man roster and ultimately released him. Clearly, no other teams were willing to utilize a 40-man spot to take a chance on Zimmer; evidently, none offered a better opportunity to him otherwise.
Zimmer, 26, is still working back from shoulder problems that are the latest in a line of ailments. The fifth overall pick in the 2012 draft, he has shown well when healthy. Zimmer has a 3.54 ERA in the minors, with 10.8 K/9 against 3.1 BB/9, but has compiled those numbers in just 259 total innings.
5th pick in the 2012 draft? Wow. That makes me feel good about the Cubs getting Alberto Halmora with the 6th pick.
You can’t even spell Albert Almora Jr right? SMH.
“When healthy”. Still waiting for that.
Zimmer has never been healthy. Even when he has pitched it’s never for a prolonged period of time. After a few starts or a few relief. Appearances he would immediately go back on the disabled list. He can’t stay in rotation for more than a start or two before some part of his body breaks down. 31 other teams know this that’s why he still in the Royals Organization.
31 teams? Did a couple Japanese teams figure it out too? lol
Whoops my bad.
The Long Island Ducks ducked on him.
Missed opportunity for a lot of clubs here. This guy is super talented and makes far less than $1M/year. Rather than trying to recycle K-Rod, Craig Breslow or other over the hill players for millions of dollars, why not take a chance on this kid? The injuries are certainly concerning but he appears to be healthy now. Teams like Baltimore/Tampa/Miami should have snapped him up!
(Note: yes I know both K-Rod & Breslow were cut, but why even bother)?
He’s never pitched in the majors before…
Neither has half of the Marlins team ;-)
“appears to be healthy now”…..no he’s not. He pitched a few innings in ST then was shutdown. He likely will stay in Surprise until he’s healthy enough to tie his own shoes then go to Omaha then the DL. Don’t get me wrong, as a Royals fan I’m pulling for Kyle, but he’s been a physical wreck since his college days. I think the only reason the Royals brought him back on a minor-league deal is because they have got millions of dollars invested in him and if he ever does reach the majors they wanted to be with them.
Even if he never stays healthy, Royals have to keep guys like this in the hope they may get healthy because of the ceiling for Zimmer. Now what about the Almonte swap? How do Royals take a low-celing OF that was not wanted by anyone else to drop pitcher with huge upside? Not a smart move for a franchise that is starved for high-end talent.