Posted: 02/22/2012
SURPRISE, Ariz. - Two Royals pitchers on Wednesday signed contracts with the club. Right-handed pitchers Louis Coleman and Greg Holland inked one-year contacts for the upcoming season.
Coleman and Holland are expected to be key members of the Royals bullpen this season that also includes Jonathan Broxton and closer Joakim Soria.
The Royals now have five unsigned players on the 40-man roster with zero to three years of service time. They are right-handed pitcher Vin Mazzaro, left-handed pitcher Danny Duffy, catcher Salvador Perez and infielders Alcides Escobar and Johnny Giavotella.
Spring training has been going well, except for one issue. Pitcher Jose Mijares is still not in camp. The left-hander hasn’t made contact with the Royals for the last eight days. Mijares is the only missing player among Royals pitchers and catchers.
The Royals mistakenly thought Mijares arrived for camp after they were told he checked in at the hotel. But Mijares still hasn’t picked up his visa yet. Mijares’ visa is in Venezuela. He’s from Caracas. The Royals were told his delay has to do with family issues.
Mijares is expected to be a situational reliever against left-handed batters this season. The 27-year-old signed as a free agent after pitching for the Minnesota Twins for four years.
Royals pitchers and catchers officially reported to spring training in Surprise, Ariz. this past Monday. The entire squad reports on Friday. Workouts begin on Saturday. The Royals open their spring training schedule against the Texas Rangers on Sunday, March 4 at 2:05 p.m. CT.
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