Royals sign veteran right-hander Chris Young to one-year deal

Kansas City signed veteran right-handed pitcher Chris Young to a major league contract, the team announced Saturday.

Young was 12-9 with a 3.65 ERA in 29 starts for Seattle last season. He didn't pitch in the majors in 2013, and was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year by the Sporting News last year.

To make room for Young on the active roster, the Royals placed right-hander Kris Medlen on the 60-day disabled list. Medlen is recovering from Tommy John surgery and should return in June or July.

Young will add depth to the Royals' rotation, which already appears set with five starters penciled in. The addition of Young, plus the return of a healthy Medlen, give Kansas City seven capable -- and proven -- starting pitchers for the second half of the season.

Kansas City appears to be an ideal landing spot for Young, who is a flyball pitcher. Kauffman Stadium's spacious outfield, coupled with the superb Royals defense, should fit the 35-year-old's style well.

In his 10 major league seasons, Young's groundball to flyball ratio was 0.37; the major league average was 0.81. He also served up 26 home runs last season (tied for fifth-most in baseball) and has induced only 40 double plays in his career.

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