Report: Pitcher Zack Greinke Returns to Royals After 11 Years

Former Royals star pitcher Zack Greinke is headed back to Kansas City, The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Wednesday.

As a free agent, the right hand pitcher is pending a physical to make the deal official with the Royals. The deal is worth $13 million for one year, Jon Heyman reported, but no other details have been released.

Back to where it started! Royals in agreement with free-agent RHP Zack Greinke, pending physical, sources tell @TheAthletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 16, 2022

Greinke played for the Royals from 2004 to ’10 after they drafted him in the first round of the 2002 MLB draft. In his best year as a Royal in 2009, Greinke was the American League Cy Young Winner and an All-Star, along with leading MLB in earned run averages with a 2.16.

Since leaving Kansas City in 2010, Greinke has pitched for the Brewers, Angels, Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Astros. He was an All-Star five more times throughout his career. Now, as a 38-year-old, Greinke is returning to where his career started.

Greinke has not had a losing record since his time in Kansas City ended in 2010, in which he finished the season with 10-14 record. Last season with the Astros, Greinke finished with an 11–6 record and 4.16 ERA.

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