The Kansas City Royals finally have Jose Mijares into the team’s spring training camp in Surprise, Arizona after missing him over the last several days due to visa issues in his home country. Bob Dutton is reporting that Mijares finally showed as the Royals expected at some point this weekend. Ned Yost had told the media that much when the relief pitcher was still absent yesterday.
Mijares finally got a passport in his native Venezuela and can join an remade Royals bullpen that has Aaron Crow moving to the starting rotation and features fellow free agent signee Jonathan Broxton. Mijares brings an important left-handed arm to the mix and also is very familiar with the AL Central after four seasons with the Minnesota Twins. The 27 year old signed a one year deal with the Royals this offseason.
Last year, Mijares went 0-2 with a 4.59 ERA, his worst full season in the big leagues. Dayton Moore and the rest of the Royals are hoping Mijares can return to the form of previous seasons like 2009 when he had a 2.34 ERA out of the pen.