Royals sign Justin Grimm to one-year deal, send down five players
Justin Grimm, 29, made 50 appearances for the Chicago Cubs last season, going 1-2 with a 5.53 ERA with a 9.60 K/9 rate.
The Kansas City Royals announced on Sunday that they have signed right-handed pitcher Justin Grimm to a one-year Major League contract for the 2018 season.
Also on Sunday, the club optioned pitchers Miguel Almonte, Sam Gaviglio and Trevor Oaks, catcher Cam Gallagher and infielder Ramón Torres to Omaha (AAA).
Grimm, 29, made 50 appearances for the Chicago Cubs last season, going 1-2 with a 5.53 ERA (34 ER in 55.1 IP) with a 9.60 K/9 rate (59 K’s). It marked his fourth-straight season averaging better than one strikeout per inning. He posted a 0.73 ERA (1 ER in 12.1 IP) in 13 appearances during the month of June, while he also allowed just one earned run over his final six outings of the season.
He’s spent the last four-plus seasons with the Chicago Cubs, after being traded from the Texas Rangers in a five-player deal during the 2013 season. Grimm was 11-12 with a 3.82 ERA (100 ER in 235.2 IP) in 263 appearances with Chicago, which includes 43 holds. He posted a career-best 1.99 ERA (11 ER in 49.2 IP) in 62 outings during the 2015 season, while ranking fifth among NL relievers with a 12.14 K/9 ratio (67 K).
Grimm was a member of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series championship club, making three appearances during the Fall Classic vs. Cleveland. He also made three scoreless appearances during the 2015 postseason, including two against the Mets in the National League Championship Series.
A native of Bristol, Tenn., Grimm currently resides in Nashville, with his wife, Gia.
Following today’s roster moves, the Royals have 46 players in Major League camp, which does not include pitcher Jesse Hahn (60-day disabled list) or outfielder Jorge Bonifacio (suspended). Of the 46 players remaining, 19 of them are non-roster invitees.
