Royals sign Taylor Clarke to minor league deal

The reliever pitched for the Royals in 2022-23.

The Royals have brought back Taylor Clarke, inking the reliever to a minor league deal. Clarke previously pitched for the Royals in 2022 and 2023, but was traded to the Brewers this past season and the entire season in the minors.

The 31-year-old right-hander was originally drafted by the Diamondbacks and spent three season in Arizona before the Royals signed him as a free agent. His best year came in his first season in Kansas City when he appeared in 47 games with a 4.04 ERA and 48 strikeouts with just eight walks in 49 innings. But he regressed badly in 2023 with a 5.95 ERA in 59 innings, although with a terrific strikeout rate.

The Royals traded him to Milwaukee for infielder Cam Devanney and pitcher Ryan Brady last off-season. He required knee surgery in spring training and spent the entire season in Triple-A, with a 4.90 ERA in 68 innings.

Clarke was pretty home run prone, but he had a slider that can be effective at times. He will try to re-establish his health and he provides an experienced arm that can provide some bullpen depth in the minors.