KC Royals sign former All-Star pitcher Tony Gonsolin to one-year contract

Jaylon Thompson, The Kansas City Star on Aug 14, 2026

Published in Baseball

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City Royals continue to search the open market for potential starting pitching help for the 2027 season.

On Thursday, the Royals signed veteran pitcher Tony Gonsolin to a one-year contract with a club option for 2027.

Gonsolin, 32, has a strong track record. He owns a 37-13 record with a 3.34 ERA in 86 career appearances (78 starts). He was an All-Star in 2022 during a career season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Royals hope Gonsolin will recapture his All-Star form. He is currently recovering from pronator repair surgery in his right elbow. As a result, he was placed on the 15-day injured list after the signing.

In a corresponding move, the Royals designated right-handed pitcher Eli Morgan for assignment. That move clears the way for Gonsolin to be placed on the 40-man roster down the stretch.

Gonsolin has dealt with additional injuries in his career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and the elbow injury has limited him in game action. He has made just seven starts since the 2023 season.

The Royals believe he could eventually be a potential option as a starter. When healthy, his stuff would figure to play well at Kauffman Stadium. Gonsolin’s arsenal features a four-seam fastball, splitter, curveball and slider.

Gonsolin also brings playoff experience. He helped win the 2020 World Series with the Dodgers, making two starts against the Tampa Bay Rays.

The Royals are currently without top starters Cole Ragans, Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila. They all have long-term injuries and will likely miss the start of the 2027 campaign.

Gonsolin will have a chance to fill a spot in KC’s rotation. His club option will allow the Royals to further explore the free-agent and trade markets, but he is capable of making starts as needed.