Royals strike Minors deal with Maness

SURPRISE, Ariz. -- The Royals continue to do their due diligence in trying to secure a shutdown bullpen for 2017.
The Royals confirmed Monday they have signed right-hander Seth Maness to a Minor League deal with an invite to Spring Training, thus adding yet one more veteran reliever to compete for a bullpen job.
Maness' deal is worth $1.25 million if he makes the Majors, with $750,000 worth of performance bonuses, a source told MLB.com.
The Royals already have veterans Jonathan Sánchez, Al Alburquerque, Chris Withrow, Brandon League and Bobby Parnell as non-roster Spring Training invites in camp.
Maness, 28, will compete with those veterans for one, possibly two spots in the bullpen.
The Royals were one of several teams to scout Maness at a recent tryout in St. Louis. Maness underwent an experimental elbow surgery instead of the traditional Tommy John surgery last August, and is expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Maness had a 3.19 ERA in 244 relief outings over four seasons with the Cardinals.