The Royals and right-hander Aaron Sanchez are in agreement on a minor league contract, reports Robert Murray of Fansided. The former Blue Jays All-Star will be in big league camp as a non-roster invitee. Sanchez would earn $1.5MM on the big league roster and has another $1.35MM available to him via incentives, a source tells MLBTR. The contract contains opt-out/release dates on April 15 and May 15, per Murray’s report. Sanchez is represented by Smooth Baseball.
Sanchez hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2022 and was out of baseball entirely in 2025. The 33-year-old set his sights on a comeback effort this winter though and more than earned a look with a big league club while pitching in the Dominican Winter League. He started eight games, pitched 46 1/3 innings and recorded a pristine 1.55 earned run average. Sanchez’s 19.1% strikeout rate isn’t much to look at, but he also walked only 5% of his opponents and has always been more of a ground-ball pitcher than a premium strikeout arm anyhow (career 52.7% grounder rate).
A former top prospect and No. 34 overall draft pick with the Blue Jays, Sanchez looked like a budding star in 2016. He paced the American League with a flat 3.00 ERA in 192 innings, finished seventh in Cy Young voting and made his lone All-Star team that year. Injuries have derailed him since. In addition to recurring blister troubles on his pitching hand, Sanchez has been plagued by a lat strain, a biceps strain and a torn capsule in his right shoulder.
Since that brilliant 2016 showing, Sanchez has managed only 367 2/3 innings in the majors. He’s pitched to a 5.29 ERA with a 17.5% strikeout rate, 10.6% walk rate and 49% ground-ball rate in that time, bouncing between five major league clubs along the way.
The Royals have a strong rotation, but clubs are always on the hunt for low-cost depth starting pitching depth. Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Noah Cameron give the club five quality arms to carry into the season. Right-handers Alec Marsh, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek and Mason Black are on the 40-man roster and all have starting experience in the majors, as does out-of-options left-hander Bailey Falter, who seems ticketed for a swingman role.
Honestly wondering if this is a possible bullpen piece for the Royals and not starting depth.
Red Sox fans including me are dreaming it’s step one for the Royals with step two being a Duran – Ragans deal. While getting Suarez lessens the need, there never can be too much pitching.
dewey – I don’t think Sanchez is being counted on to replace Ragans.
Can’t believe Aaron is still around, he was so overhyped with Toronto.
Fever, it was my attempt at humor. I’ll have to try harder… Your reaction though was the same as mine. I can’t believe how young he is.
He won an Era title at 23 throwing 97 mph sinkers, the hype was pretty understandable
We already have enough starting depth I’m guessing this is for bullpen
You can never have enough starting depth. Sanchez doesn’t seem to fit the prototype of today’s relievers, especially with the three-batter rule.
Marsh is expected to miss most of the season after surgery.
Obligatory question about whether he blistered up signing the contract.
Of course, but he’ll be good to go in 2 to 52 weeks!
one elite season in 2016 and he gets a 10 year career out of it.
I can’t believe this dude is only 33. Feels like he’s been pitching since the dot com era.
Not many 33 pitchers makes not one, but two, comebacks.
Now they’re cooking!
Taking a flyer on Sanchez, a 1-time All Star ten years ago, isn’t a big risk. Kansas City is a good place to pitch. Nice results in the D.R. Winter league.
I had no idea this guy was still in baseball
He wasn’t, but now he is! This is a fun story.
He may give up the odd home run each outing, a run each recorded outing, a cam-a-run: but hopefully he won’t wacha or falter much. A decision Lorde and her baes won’t bergert
They did Sanchez Dirty by not giving him an ML contract
Heyooooooo
That’s not Austin Hays.
Oh behave
Man, I thought this guy would be a mainstay in the Jays rotation and perennial Cy Young contender after his 2015 season. He’s a perfect example of how fleeting success in MLB can be.
Him and Manoah had such early success. It’s so hard to have a full and successful career
Like Manoah from heaven until he ate too much
It’s a no brainer for the Royals,just hope he can make a comeback
From the Chopped kitchen back to the mound!
Talk about blast from the past. Don’t call it a comeback!
what year is it
kentonwebb Here’s a stat. Team revenue dropped 20 million from 2024. That’s a Harrison Bader contract and a Pasquatch extension