Royals sign Diekman to 1-year contract with 2020 mutual option
The Kansas City Royals have signed left-handed reliever Jake Diekman to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2020, the team announced Wednesday.
Diekman will earn $2.25 million in 2019 and is guaranteed an additional $500,000 if the Royals do not pick up the 2020 option, according to Rustin Dodd of The Athletic.
In a corresponding move, right-handed starter Jesse Hahn was placed on the 60-day injured list.
The 32-year-old Diekman threw 53 1/3 innings between the Texas Rangers and Arizona Diamondbacks last year, posting a 4.73 ERA and 3.74 FIP. Over 71 appearances for the two clubs, Diekman struck out 27.2 percent of batters he faced but walked 12.8 percent.
Diekman joins a Royals bullpen that includes former D-Backs teammate Brad Boxberger, who was added earlier this winter.