Kansas City Royals Ink Former Dodgers Starter to New Contract

The Kansas City Royals made a move Thursday to take a flier on a player who could make an impact next season.

"We have signed RHP Tony Gonsolin to a Major League contract for 2026 with a club option for 2027. Tony has been placed on the 15-day Injured List. RHP Eli Morgan has been designated for assignment," the team wrote on X.

With the deal including a club option for 2027, the Royals will likely monitor how Gonsolin looks before deciding whether to pick it up.

The fact that he was immediately placed on the injured list suggests he is not an immediate option and Kansas City is simply getting a longer look at him before committing further.

The 32-year-old had one of the more impressive runs in baseball during his time with the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2019 to 2022. Across that stretch he posted an ERA below 3.24 in every season, establishing himself as a reliable rotation piece. He even earned an All-Star selection in 2022.

Since then, his career has been derailed almost entirely by injuries. A left ankle sprain and right forearm inflammation limited him to 20 starts in 2023 and his ERA ballooned to 4.98. He struck out just 82 hitters in 103 innings.

He then underwent Tommy John surgery in September which forced him to miss all of 2024. When he returned in 2025, a back issue delayed the start of his season and elbow discomfort eventually sent him back to the injured list in June, leading to a second elbow procedure. The Dodgers designated him for assignment last November and he elected to enter unrestricted free agency.

The Royals' interest makes more sense considering the context of their 2026 season. Sitting at 49-73, this year is essentially all but mathematically over.

Heading into 2027, Kansas City has real rotation concerns. Injuries have decimated their pitching staff this season with Cole Ragans, Kris Bubic, Stephen Kolek and Ryan Bergert all dealing with major arm injuries.

Gonsolin, if healthy, gives them another option to evaluate heading into next offseason alongside Seth Lugo and Michael Wacha.

As for Morgan, he will head to waivers after being designated for assignment, ending a season where he bounced between Triple-A and the big leagues without ever fully sticking.

Whether another organization sees enough in his minor-league numbers to claim him remains unknown, but for Kansas City the focus has already shifted toward what Gonsolin can eventually provide down the road.