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Royals Sign All-Star, World Series Champion Starter
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. The Kansas City Royals signed World Series champion right-hander Tony Gonsolin to a big-league deal Thursday, and placed him on the 15-day IL.
To make room for Gonsolin on the roster, the Royals designated right-hander Eli Morgan for assignment.
Gonsolin, 32, last played for the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2025, making five starts for the club and posting a 5.00 ERA. He struck out 38 batters in 36 innings before landing on the injured list with a right elbow injury. He underwent surgery for the issue in Aug. 2025, and has been out since—entering free agency at the end of that season.
Through his six MLB seasons, Gonsolin has a 3.34 ERA through 411.2 innings pitched, and has struck out 387 batters. He made the NL All-Star team with the Dodgers in 2022, when he had a 2.14 ERA through 24 starts while striking out 119 batters across 130.1 innings pitched.
Gonsolin is yet to begin his rehab from the elbow surgery, but the Royals connected a club option for 2027 in case the right-hander doesn't make his return before the end of the season.
The Royals are in something of a crisis in terms of starting pitching, as some of their key starters are out for extended periods of time.
Starting pitchers Stephen Kolek, Cole Ragans and Luinder Avila all are on the 60-day injured list, with all three undergoing Tommy John surgery earlier in the season. Additionally, the Royals traded away left-hander Kris Bubic to the Dodgers at the trade deadline in exchange for right-hander Carlos Duran, who has not appeared for the MLB club.
The Royals have also struggled in terms of starting pitching this year, with their starters posting a collective 4.54 ERA over the course of the season. That mark ranks them 24th in MLB, and fourth-worst in the American League.
With so many pitchers out for the remainder of the year — and even beyond — the Royals had to rush to reinforce their rotation as soon as possible. More than a year has passed since Gonsolin's surgery, so he is sure to appear for the Royals at some point over the duration of his contract.
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