The Kansas City Royals are bringing back a starter who showed significant improvement last season before undergoing season-ending surgery. The Royals and Felipe Paulino have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.75 million, which avoids arbitration.

The 29-year-old right handed pitcher set the world on fire at the beginning of the 2012 season, starting seven games with a 1.67 earned run average. Paulino's season ended after his June 6 start, and he had Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow just a month later.

The previous season, Paulino started 20 games for the Royals after being acquired from the Colorado Rockies, finishing the year with a 4.11 earned run average in 124½ innings pitched. He also struck out 119 batters while walking 48.

After signing Paulino to a one-year deal, the Royals have just two players eligible for arbitration, right handed pitcher Luke Hochevar and second baseman Chris Getz.