Former Phillies Closer Ryan Madson signs Minor League Deal with Royals
According to the Kansas City Star, the Royals have added more bullpen depth by adding former Philadelphia Phillies closer, Ryan Madson, to a minor-league deal.
The former Phillies 9th-round pick in 1998 has not pitched since 2011. Madsen, now 34-years old, made his name as one of the premier set-up men in baseball, pitching eighth innings while Brad Lidge warmed up. He finally got his chance to close in 2011 and he excelled, going 4-2 with an ERA of 2.37 while recording 32 saves. During the offseason that year he signed a one-year deal with the Cincinnati Reds, but missed the entire season after undergoing Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
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Madson was both a starter and reliever during his 9-year stint with the Phillies. His career line includes a record of 47-30, an ERA of 3.59, and 547 strikeouts spread out over 630 major league innings in 491 appearances.
Madson attempted a prior comeback attempt with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2013, but he re-injured the elbow in his only minor league appearance. Now, 34-years old, it will be interesting to see where he fits in to Kansas City’s three-headed monster of a bullpen in Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and closer Greg Holland. Perhaps he serves as an insurance policy, or perhaps he can break camp as a middle reliever.